CONGLETON are hoping for some
luck tomorrow in their relegation
battle after a frustrating draw on
Saturday.
The 1st X1 were within one wicket
from victory at fourth from bottom
Malpas, but the last pair held out to
deny them a much-needed win.
Some comfort for Congleton was
the 17 points they gained from the
draw, although they are still in the
drop zone.
Burnage lost at Grappenhall, leaving
them 16 points clear of second
from bottom Congleton.
Things are tight among the strugglers,
with Malpas a point ahead of
Burnage, and Middlewich two further
ahead.
Congleton have six games in which
to save themselves, the first tomorrow's
visit by third-placed Sale.
The other fixtures see them take on
mid-table Irby, Middlewich, leaders
Bredbury, fourth-placed Grappenhall
and second-placed Upton in their last
match.
"We are playing well, and I'm optimistic
we can pull ourselves out of
the relegation zone," said Congleton
press officer Mike Kitton.
"We were unlucky not to win on Saturday,
and it was the first time this
season that our middle order has really
fired on all cylinders."
Congleton were bowled out for 243
in 50 overs, their top scorer veteran
batsman Paul Mitchell, who hit 56.
Congleton made a poor start, losing
their first two men with only 19 runs
on the board.
They recovered with a stand of 67
between Mitchell and Rob Porter,
Porter going for 30.
Mitchell also featured in the highest
stand of the day, 68 between him
and David Price for the fourth wicket,
Price making 35.
Congleton's sixth wicket pairing
also made a major contribution, Dan
Robinson and Nick Allen taking the
score from 160 to 221.
Robinson scored 37, and Kiwi Allen
hit 30.
Congleton started slowly, reaching
71 for two after the first 25 overs,
before upping the pace to score 172
off the next 25.
Malpas hung on with 149 for nine
in reply off their 50 overs.
They lost wickets regularly, their
best stand 35 for the seventh wicket.
Allen ended with figures of three
wickets for 49 runs off 15 overs.
Porter also took three wickets, for
36 off 15 overs.
Aaron Browe, in only his second
first team appearance for Congleton,
took two wickets for 10 off five overs.
The other wicket fell to Tom Blease,
who ended with one for 19 off four
overs.
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