Rash shots almost cost Congleton dear

12:26pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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RASH shots almost cost Congleton dear on Saturday when they ended all square at home to Davenham.

The 1st X1 were 136 for six with seven overs to go, but lost three more wickets in adding a further 19 runs.

That left them on 155 for nine, with the final pair having to face only eight balls.

They survived to see Congleton end on 159 for nine and earn a draw and 10 points.

"After being six men down at 136, with only seven overs to go, we weren't going to win," said Congleton press officer Mike Kitton.

"We needed to shut up shop, but John Copeland, Phil Dutoy and Jack Higginbotham went playing injudicious shots.

"The tailenders should have batted more sensibly given the circumstances, and in the end we were lucky to get a draw."

Copeland was out for two, Dutoy went for four, and Higginbotham was out for an excellent 47, which he achieved off 80 balls.

"Higginbotham batted very well, and it was a nice, tidy innings, which included five fours," said Mr Kitton.

Davenham opened with 213 for seven off 45 overs, after making a good start, Holden and Loveridge putting on 62 for the first wicket in only 15 overs, Holden hitting six fours and five sixes.

However Congleton's bowlers pulled themselves back into the game by taking three wickets in the following three overs to leave Davenham on 81 for three.

Davenham added 39 for the fourth wicket, and the game was evenly balanced after they had been pegged back to 162 for six.

However Davenham fought back to hit 52 runs in the last 11 overs for the loss of one wicket.

"We bowled too many loose balls at the beginning of Davenham's innings, although when we had them at 162 for six we were back in with a shout," said Mr Kitton.

Davenham piled on the runs late on thanks to number five Ashley, who hit 45, and numbers seven and nine Simmonds and Cartlidge, who hit 24 and 21 respectively.

The Davenham wickets were shared between four bowlers, Dutoy taking two for 41 runs off eight overs.

Mark Potts also ended with two wickets off eight overs, at a cost of 16 runs.

Copeland took one for 16 off two, and Aaron Browe picked up one wicket for 20 runs off six overs.

Mark Potts was captain for the day in the absence of Paul Beaumont, and Congleton are on their travels this Saturday in the league, with a match at Meir.