Sale CC Hold on to Top Spot

Sale 1st XI stayed top of division one of the Cheshire County league as heavy rain showers played havoc with cricket fixtures across the county.

The first shower arrived shortly after I S Recruitment sponsored Sale had started their innings at Stockport Georgians.

With regular openings Pat Ashling and James Dodds absent Joe Molloy promoted from the 2nd XI hot a breezy 18 at the top of the order.

Sale found it hard to build partnerships and soon found themselves in the precarious position of 104-6.

Harry Cann and George Walker then added 56 for the 7th wicket. Walker falling for 29.

Cann then marshalled to tail and was last man out for 42 off the final innings of the games as Sale posted 188.

With overs lost earlier in the day the home side set about their chase with relish. Despite losing the dangerous Ben Staniforth for 12, Ned Bailey (88) and Simon Normanton (44) tore into the Sale attack.

Georgians has reached 152-2 off 19 overs and looked favourites before another downpour forced an early end to the game and saved Sale’s blushes, 8 points each.

Sale 2nd XI couldn’t suffered a similar fate at Dane Road, after visitors Lindow had posted 213-8 in 50 over. Paolo Manfredi and Muneeb Iftikar both taking 3 wickets each.

Sale had reached 71-2 off 21 overs when the game was abandoned, Rob Grant 20 not out.

The heavy rain also accounted for Sunday’s 3rd XI clash at home to Stockport Georgians with the square waterlogged.

Sale 4th XI beat Cheadle Hulme in a rain reduced game after bowling the home side out for 144, Arthur Takaki-Quayle 3-27 and Naman Mudaliar 2-5 and two catches.

Sale costed home to their revised target of 116 for the loss of two wickets, Mudaliar 53 not out and James Lewis 26.

Earlier in the week Sale Silverbacks enjoyed a good win over leaders Grappenhall.

Grappers recovered from 12-3 to post 148-5 in 20 overs. Sale got home at a canter with 9 balls to spare, openers Ian Dixon (30) and Asad Khan (32) both retired and Dan Brown hitting a brutal 28 off just 13 balls.

Next Saturday Sale 1st XI welcome Lindow to Dane Road and Sale 2nd XI travel to Oxton. On Sunday the 4th XI host Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge and the 3rd XI visit Toft.