CONGLETON 2nds fell 14 runs short of victory at Heaton Mersey on Saturday in a thrilling end to the league match.

Heaton opened with 201 for six, Mick Maw the pick of the Congleton bowlers, finishing with four for 54, and there was a wicket each for Simon Tatters and Dave Hollingworth.

Congleton have scored more than 200 just once this season, but battled hard in reply, and were left needing 33 from the last three overs.

The first produced 16, but also cost the vital wicket of Beaumont, and Tatters and Hollingworth blocked out the next two overs to earn a draw.

Howard Gray top scored with 40, John Thomspon hit 30, and Dave Ward made 29.

Congleton ended 187 for nine, and claimed eight points to 15 for Heaton.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.