A VALIANT last-wicket stand saved Congleton CC in their mid-table clash against Upton.

For the second successive week, the tail wagged to salvage some pride as Stuart Adlam and Mohammed Sohail saw out the last seven overs at Booth Street.

It was Sohail who also exerted early pressure on the visitors, taking two early wickets to leave them deep in trouble on 10 for 2.

Camden (72) and Dhenim (58) saved them from further depths at 43 for 4 with a solid stand of 97 before both fell to Steve Farr.

A large total looked unlikely at 140 for 5 however Warburton threw the bat at everything and in the next six overs got 56 runs.

A big bonus, Upton declared on 200 after 50 overs

Sohail (2 for 41), Farr (2 for 71), Saeed (1 for 10) and Mountford (1 for 30) were the Congleton wicket takers and Toby Miller, with a catch and a stumping, took his season's tally to 15.

The vital good start went out of the window through two controversial LBW decisions that accounted for Rob Porter and Paul Mitchell early on.

Accurate spin bowling then saw Congleton become increasingly bogged down.

Despite determined efforts by Farr (18), Rowan Kitton (13), Miller (13) and Mountford (10) to break free, wickets fell regularly and it was left to Adlam and Sohail to see them through on 127 for 9.

Eighth in ECB Division One, Congleton took 6 points to Upton's 13.