Congleton bring an end to Crewe's impressive record

CONGLETON picked up a notable scalp as they became the first team to lower Crewe’s colours in NSSCL Division Two this season.

- Chris Travers

The leaders had opened the campaign with 11 successive victories, but their winning run came to an end as they suffered a four-wicket defeat on their road trip.

Crewe’s unblemished record was under threat from the moment that they were bundled out for 104 in Saturday's encounter.

Ryan Briddon (23no), Ollie Jarvis (20), Callum Bacon (16) and Nathan Twidell (14) all made starts, but Congleton’s attack kept a tight rein on proceedings.

Jack Higginbotham led the way with 5-28, while there were a couple of wickets apiece for Sean Cardall and Guy Baxendale.

Crewe showed plenty of fight after the interval as Faisal Mahmood claimed 3-16 and Bacon struck twice.

However, Congleton managed to find their way to the winning line as Higginbotham’s 31 not out was supplemented by 24 from Jack Goode, 18 from Tom Courtney and Gregory Eyre’s 12.

Second-placed Sandyford closed the gap to Crewe to 19 points after winning on their visit to Meakins seconds.

Hosts Meakins reached 234-6 before declaring in the weekend encounter at Ivy House Road.

Their innings was centred around a typically big-hitting effort from Tariq Mughal, who plundered a century.

Mughal blasted 112 from just 79 balls, hitting nine fours and 11 sixes along the way.