Sale 1st Reach Top of Division One

Sale 1st XI moved to the top of division one of the Cheshire County league after having the better of their drawn game against previous leaders Bowdon.

Bowdon won the toss and had no hesitation in asking I S Recruitment sponsored Sale to bat first on a spicy looking wicket.

And so it proved as Sale were soon in trouble at 18-2.

Only Pat Ashling seemed to come to terms with conditions as wickets continued to fall in clusters, Dan Newton and Will Valentine both falling with the score on 44.

Three more wickets fell to make the score 68-7, including Ashling for 30.

Skipper Mike Bishop then played the crucial innings of the day of 42, well supported by Isaac Brooks (21) as Sale were bowled out for 152.

Sale got off to the perfect start as Joe Chappel was bowled by Newton in the first over.

A similar pattern followed as the home side limped to 115-7 in 55 overs determine to prevent a Sale win. Newton and Brooks taking two wickets each, points 10 – 6.

In contrasting conditions at Dane Road Sale 2nd XI moved up the table after a comfortable win against 3rd placed Toft.

Adam Kenyon top scored with 83 as the visitors were bowled out for 174. Muneeb Iftikar (4-41) and Paolo Manfredi (3-23) did the damage.

Sale coasted home after tea, reaching their target for the loss of 1 wicket inside 39 overs. Joe Molloy finishing unbeaten on 91 and Jamie Coombes 57.

Sale 3rd XI got back into the championship race in the Sunday premier league after downing leaders Didsbury.

Sale did well to restrict the visitors to 179-8, stand in skipper Grant Whittaker taking 4-49.

Whittaker then got Sale off to a flying start with a run-a-ball 35.

Sale looked well set for the win as Dattu Vadakutte hit 44 in the middle order, however when Sale lost 3 wickets on 113 the win looked a long way off.

A bit of smart thinking took Sale to a crucial win, Tom Smart (37 not out off 39 balls) and 28 from Gareth Watterson got Sale home with 4 balls to spare.

Sale 4th XI consolidated their place at the top of division 4 with a good win at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge.

Sale were bowled out for 213 in the 39th over, Rob Shaw hitting 69 and Max Bishop 54.

The home side could only reach 153-3 when rain intervened and gave Sale the win on run-rate.

Thanks to match sponsors Ian Holland, Jamie Coombes and Lionel Thompson.

Next Saturday Sale 2nd XI welcome Lindow to Dane Road and the 1st XI travel to Stockport Georgians. On Sunday the 3rd XI host new leaders Stockport Georgians and the 4th XI visit Cheadle Hulme.