CHAMPIONSHIP-chasing CONGLETON CC re-affirmed their title ambitions with a two-wicket victory at struggling Hale Barns.

Asked to bat first, the home side opened steadily against some tight bowling by Stuart Adlam (2 for 23) and Jim Hartshorn.

But it earned a deserved breakthrough as Hartshorn (2 for 18) dismissed Molloy with only 19 on the board and then struck again to leave them on 29 for 2.

Waterhouse's (5 for 43) introduction to the attack sparked a middle order collapse and over half the Hale Barns side were back in the pavilion by the time the score had reached 54.

The tail dug in though and saw the home side reach 143 for 9 off 50 overs.

Chasing what looked a modest target, Congleton were in deep trouble when Adrian Dale and Paul Mitchell were dismissed in the first five overs.

After losing Hart and Waterhouse, and with the score on 59, things looked grim but Toby Miller and Rowan Kitton steadied the ship and took the total to 108 before Miller was removed for an excellent 41.

That brought another stutter as Thompson and Mountford were dismissed but Adlam joined Kitton to take them from 118 for 7 to level the scores as Kitton was bowled for a fine 34.

Adlam hit the winning runs off the second ball of the final over to clinch victory and secure 20 vital points to keep them on course for league honours.

Congleton face a crucial home game against second-placed Winnington Park, tomorrow, and all support is welcome.

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