TWO thrilling victories over the weekend kept Crewe CC on course for the Division One Section B title.

Top bowling by Ian Roberts (3 for 27) and Nilesh Kulkarni (2 for 33) kept home side Stone down to a declaration at tea of 151 for 7 on Saturday.

Simon Walton (25) and Joe Boyle got them off to a steady start before a mini-collapse saw them in trouble on 69 for 5.

Karl Stevenson played a match-winning innings of 43 to take Crewe within 12 runs of success and sensible batting by the tail saw them home to an important victory over one of their main rivals.

Sunday brought promotion outsiders Sneyd to Crewe and after appearing comfortable on 85 for 3, they were dismissed just before tea for 127.

Kulkarni continued his prolific season with 5 for 63 while Roberts again provided excellent back-up with 4 for 22.

Sneyd fought back through the fastest bowler in the league, Ali Gondal.

His devasting opening over ripped Crewe's top order apart and left them reeling on 5 for 3.

An excellent recovery was staged by Boyle (32) and Kulkarni (37) to steer Crewe to 84 for 3 and on the road to victory.

But Gondal (9 for 52) returned for his second spell and sent six batsmen back to the pavilion in four overs with just 7 runs added.

At 91 for 9 all look lost but again Crewe's tail wagged and an amazing last wicket stand of 37 by Lange (15no) and Jennison (18no) clinched a nail-biting victory against the odds.

Crewe travel to Ashcombe Park next Saturday with just three games to go in the title race.

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