Six games to save themselves

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.