CONGLETON'S middle order came down to earth with a bump on Saturday after their excellent win against Bramhall.

Congleton looked well set at 62-2 at home to fourth-placed Cheadle in the league.

However the middle order crumbled as Congleton lost their next eight men for the addition of just 47 runs to end all out for a poor 109.

Congleton failed to snatch the quick wickets they needed to put them back in with a chance, and Cheadle ran out easy victors by eight wickets with 112 for two.

Andrew Umpleby provided one of the bright spots for Congleton, top scoring with 39 after coming in at number three and claiming both Cheadle wickets at a cost of 28 runs.

He was supported at the crease by Paul Wakefield, the number four making 21, with the batsmen putting together a partnership of 60 before everything began to go wrong.

Congleton were immediately in trouble, losing their first two wickets with just two runs on the board.

After recovering they lost their next four men on 62, 77, 85 and 86 before mounting a mini-revival.

However it was all over after their seventh, eighth and ninth wickets went down on 105.

Kevin Waterhouse hit 15, and Ian Wrench contributed 10.

Cheadle knocked off their target total in 30 overs, losing their wickets at 11 and 50.

"We looked in good shape at 62 for two, but fell apart after that,'' said Congleton chairman Mike Kitton.

"We should have scored at least 150, and it was a poor midle order batting performance from us.

"Stuart Adlam and Colin Mountford bowled well, but we failed to get the quick wickets we needed.''

Promising Congleton junior Chris Brownsword is heading for a national final this week as part of a Crewe Vagrants side.

Chris, whose father Nigel is a PE teacher at Dane Valley High School, Congleton, is guesting for the Vagrants, who feature in this week's semi-finals of the national under-15s cricket championships.

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