CONGLETON face an uphill battle to win the league title after after one of their worst displays of the season on Saturday.
They were dismissed for just 83 runs at fourth from bottom Cholmondley, who cruised to an easy victory.
The Congleton total was their second lowest of the season, and saw them slip back in the title race.
Congleton earned a single point to leave them three points behind second-placed Tattenhall and 28 adrift of leaders Warrington.
Each team has three games left to play, with Congleton travelling to Sale tomorrow, Warrington next Saturday, and at home to Mobberley in their last game.
''Our performance on Saturday was hugely disappointing, and we just lost the plot,'' said Congleton chairman Mike Kitton.
''There wasn't enough desire to win or commitment from the team, and we capitulated to a side we should have beaten.
''Some of the batting was suicidal, and we were shocked by how we performed because we are such a good batting side.
''Warrington are in the driving seat, although there are still a possible 75 points to play for.''
Congleton's number seven Rowan Kitton was his side's top scorer with 17, and he and Robert Hart put on the best partnership of 28.
Adrian Dale was out in the first ball of the match, and Congleton were reduced to 36 for six before the Hart-Kitton stand provided a mini-revival.
Toby Miller scored 12, ahead of 10 for John Thompson and nine from Hart, as Congleton were bowled out in 39 overs.
That left Cholmondley were a massive 61 overs to reach their target, and they ran out easy winners with 87 for one in 30 overs.
The only Cholmondley batsman to go went with the score on 12, a victim of Kevin Waterhouse, who ended with one for 26 off 12 overs.
''We still thought we were in with a shout despite our poor total, because the wicket was doing a bit,'' said Mr Kitton.
"'However Cholmondley had plenty of overs in which to get the winning runs, and were very patient.''
Winnington Park are also still in the title race, a point behind Congleton in fourth.
Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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