Dismal show by batsmen (From Warrington Guardian)

Dismal show by batsmen

CONGLETON 1st X1 pressed the self-destruct button on Saturday with a dismal batting display.

They lost heavily at home to mid-table Grappenhall after being bowled out for 102, and picked up just four points.

They remain in fourth from bottom place, but are now just one point clear of Irby, who earned 12 points in a draw at Middlewich.

Second from bottom Middlewich are 28 points behind Congleton, with bottom side Tattenhall a further 11 points adrift.

Congleton captain Rob Porter top scored with 24, the next highest total being the 16 extras.

Number seven Peter Brooks scored 12, and the rest of the batsmen scored nine runs or less.

Congleton were bowled out in just 32 overs, and Grappenhall lost three wickets on their way to a winning total of 108.

Sharp and McCoy were undefeated respectively on 58 and 26.

Congleton were soon in trouble when both of their openers were back in the pavilion before the end of the fifth over, Adrian Dale and Tom Blease out for two and nine respectively.

Porter offered some resistance, but when he departed lbw in the tenth over Congleton found themselves on 39 for four, needing a further 61 runs to earn any batting points.

Congleton continued to lose wickets regularly, but Cain Mawby and Stuart Adlam succeeded in pushing the score beyond 100 to claim two batting points.

"The batsmen lacked the necessary application to play the kind of innings which would have seen us post a challenging total," said club press officer Peter Brooks.

"This is something which needs to be put right very quickly if we are to avoid being sucked back towards the relegation zone."

Mawby and Adlam opened the bowling attack, and both picked up early wickets, alongside a wicket in his first over for Andy Farr.

Grappenhall found themselves in trouble on 37 for three, exactly the same position as Congleton had been in, but in contrast to Congleton they failed to lose another wicket.

Sharp and McCoy stamped their authority on the bowling, and runs came quickly as the visitors raced towards their target.

Sharp and McCoy produced an unbeaten partnership of 71 to take their side to victory after only 21 overs.

Mawby, Adlam and Farr took one wicket each, at a respective cost of 14 runs, 31 and 20.

Congleton face a tough task tomorrow at Bollington.