Honours Even in Sale CC Derby Double Header

The much anticipated Sale derby match between Sale and Brooklands finally took place on Saturday after an earlier round of matched had been washed out. 

The double header in the Vivio Cheshire County league finished honour even, with Brooklands winning the 1st XI match and Sale taking the 2nd XI encounter. 

Hive Projects sponsored Sale 2nd XI got home in a tight game at Brooklands after restricting the home side to 130.

After an early wicket for skipper Gareth Watterson Brooklands looked to be building a challenging total as they reached 70-2.  The introduction of 13 year old spinner James Dodds turned the game is Sale’s favour as he took 4-57.

Tom Riley then took 3 late wickets as the home side were bowled out for 130 in the 42nd over.

After losing 2 early wickets Sam Battersby hit a brisk 27 to get the score to 40.  Jamie Coombes and Watterson then added 38, but the loss Watterson for 31 sparked a mini collapse to 107-7.

Coombes kept his head with a patent 33 as Lionel Thompson (16 not out) joined him to hit the winning runs with plenty of overs in hand. 

In the reverse fixture at Dane Road Sale 1st XI recovered from 28-3 to post 161-9.  Dan Newton top scored with 45, and a stand of 54 for the 7th wicket between Keith Wellings (34) and Ben Watkins (33) got Sale up to a defendable total.

However 161 would rarely be enough on the Dane Road wicket and so it proved as Brooklands got home for the loss of 6 wickets, Richard Halkon and Isaac Brooks taking 2 wickets each. 

Sale 3rd XI drew a high scoring game at Nantwich on Sunday.  Viraj Sorathia took 5-24 as the home team posted 212-9.

In reply Ian Habershon top scored with 43 a Sale closed on 180-8, Viraj Sorathia (39) and Mal Tazaki-Quayle (29 not out) made valuable contributions. 

Sale 4th XI posted their highest total of the year against Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge thanks to 103 from Iain Harrop on his first appearance of the season.  Ben Atkinson (24) and Jack Brassell (20 not out) played valuable supporting roles as Sale posted 208-9.

The visitors reached their target in the 38th over, Joe Wicks with 4-31.

Earlier in the week Sale Silverbacks ran out comfortable winners in their over 40s match at Bowdon.  Soans Praveen, Keith Welings and Graham Bolton all hit 30 retired as Sale posted 182-5, before restricting Bowdon to 98-4.

On Saturday the 1st XI welcome Oxton to Dane Road and the 2nd XI play the reverse fixture.  On Sunday the 3rd XI travel to Grappenhall and the 4th XI host Lindow.