A VINTAGE performance by Kevin Waterhouse went a good way to earning 20 points for Congleton when they visited Middlewich last Saturday.

Middlewich batted first and Andy Umpleby struck the first blow for Congleton having one of the openers well taken by Andy Bailey behind the stumps with the score on 32.

Waterhouse then removed the other opener with the total unchanged and proceeded to run through the Middlewich middle order with an extremely accurate spell of bowling lasting 26 overs and including 11 maidens.

Jim Hartshorn grabbed the other two wickets for 22 to leave Middlewich all out for 97.

Only Dave Parry, a professional for Congleton for many years, showed any stern resistance but he too fell to Waterhouse for 26.

This was the 2nd time this season Waterhouse, 50 not out and seven for 30. has taken seven wickets in an innings.

Congleton started their innings carefully but lost Adrian Dale with the score on nine.

Andy Bailey, 20, and Rowan Kitton took the score to 31 before Kitton, six, was caught in the gulley, Umpleby, six, and Bailey soon followed and with the score on 43 for four the game was in the balance.

This was Waterhouse's cue to give as impressive a batting performance as anyone had seen all season and his 50 not out, in partnership with Mitchell, six not out, was scored off just 33 balls.

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