BROOKLANDS Cricket Club's first XI enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Congleton to move to third in Cheshire County League Division Two.

A morning rainstorm threatened play completely, but only eight overs were lost and the visitors batted first.

Wickets were shared by the bowlers with Mark Law (3-34) the pick, ably supported by AJ Hart (2-30) and the returning Christian Potter (2-38).

Congleton's 46 overs saw them score a competitive 171-9 with Ben Scowen (44) the main scorer.

Brooklands batted sensibly to get home with Dan Duke scoring 63, his first league 50 of the season.

He was ably supported by Alex Edwards (32 not out) and Nick Little (32).

The second XI were comprehensively outplayed by their hosts Grappenhall.

Inserted by the hosts, they surrendered to 122 all out as they struggled with the spin bowling of Matt Titchard (13-3-13-4) and Ben Bravington (10.4-1-36-4).

Only the youngest player in the side, Sam Higgins (32), got to grips with the challenge.

Grappenhall needed 20 of the 54 overs they had to chase and won by eight wickets with Iain Wright (74no) powering the hosts home, supported by Will Sharp (28), as Brooklands dropped three catches at crucial times.

After accumulating only two points from a possible 25, Brooklands slipped to seventh in the table, although six more points would see them fourth.

The third XI had the closest game of the weekend having made the short trip to Urmston.

Asked to bat first by the hosts, Brooklands found the scoring tough and scored 137-4 from their 45 overs, with Matthew Staniforth's second half-century of the season (54no) the top contribution, ably supported by Drew Hinde's 24no.

Despite the low total, the Bears made a good fist of defending it.

At the start of the last over, Urmston needed four to win and the Bears just one wicket, but a tight run-out call went in their favour and they capitalised to win by the solitary wicket.

Captain Andrew Batty led by example taking 2-24 in nine overs.

On Sunday, the fourth XI beat Bowdon Vale before the weather was able to intervene.

Bowdon Vale were bowled out for 94 in 25 overs with three wickets for Alex Pugh and four in a single over, including a hat-trick, for Elliot David.

The attacking openers James Robinson and Mark Bloomfield got Brooklands off to a start before their wickets led to a mini-collapse.

Dave Cunliffe and Asad Malik steadied the ship in an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership to take Brooklands home to a five-wicket win as they stayed top of their league.

The first XI travel to Middlewich on Saturday, while the second XI host Cheadle Hulme on Saturday.

Wilmslow 2s visit Brooklands to face the thirds on Saturday then the following day, the fourths travel to Bramhall.