STAR batsman Jonathon Gray showed off his talent at Lord's this week after producing a record-breaking performance for Congleton on Saturday.

Gray played for the MCC against Ireland four days after scoring a massive 151 not out in a top of the table clash at Stockport Gerogians.

Gray's total was his highest ever score, beating his previous best of 132 for Knypersley, and helped his side close the gap on their second-placed opponents.

He hit his huge total off 139 balls in 170 minutes, and the innings included 22 fours, with his third 50 coming off only 34 deliveries.

Fourth-placed Congleton opened with 263 for five, but could not prise out the Stockport tailenders, who held on to see their side close on 233 for eight.

Congleton claimed 16 points to 10 for Stockport, to leave them in fourth, 13 points behind Stockport in second.

Congleton openers Adrian Dale and Gray made a slow start, scoring just nine in the first seven overs.

However they then attacked the bowling, and the score raced to 49 after 13 overs.

Dale went for 21 with the score on 93, and the rest of the Congleton team played supporting roles around Gray.

Howard Gray scored 25, Ian Wrench was 24 not out, John Thompson made 16, and Kevin Waterhouse scored 13.

The Congleton innings closed after 50 overs, their wickets having fallen at 93, 108, 148, 170 and 196.

Stockport were soon in trouble after losing their opener with the score on only eight.

However Stockport put on a stand of 92 for the second wicket, claimed by Mick Maw, who clean bowled the next batsman to leave Stocport on 100 for three.

Maw finished with three for 67 off 17 overs, and Waterhouse also took three, at a cost of 48 runs off 16 overs.

The other wickets fell to Stuart Adlam and Simon Tatters, who was making his first team debut and took an excellent catch in the covers.

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