Sale CC Stay in Hunt for Honours

For the second week running the top three teams in division one of the Cheshire County league all won, leaving Sale 20 points behind in third with two games to go.

I S Recruitment sponsored Sale eased to an 8 wicket win after being asked to field first by visitors Oulton Park.

Dan Newton stuck early removing skipper Martin East for 6 before Danny Leech and Teix Bolingbroke (20) added 45 for the second wicket.

Leech then added 46 for the 3rd wicket with Frank Farrington before the introduction of spinner Will Valentine turned the game for Sale.

He dismissed Leech for 54 and Farrington for 19 and soon picked up a third wicket to make it 106-4.

Tyrone Lawrence also picked up 3 wickets as the visitors rallied to close on a below par 184-8 largely thanks to an unbeaten 49 from Andrew Metcalf.

Sale got off to the worst possible start losing Mat Spells in the first over.

Pat Ashling was next to go with the score on 33 after posting a breezy 21.

Sale didn’t lose another wicket as they costed to their target with 6 overs to spare. After a watchful start Lawrence (75 not out) and Newton (85 not out) saw the home side to 25 points.

Sale 2nd XI lost by 5 wickets at Nantwich after being bowled out for 124, Muneeb Iftikhar top scoring with 35.

Sale took wickets at regular intervals but the home side reached their target with time and overs to spare.

Sale 3rd XI started the weekend top of the Sunday premier division but suffered a heavy defeat at third placed Didsbury. Fortunately for Sale leaders Stockport Georgians also lost at Toft, meaning Sale will finish as Champions if they beat Alderley Edge on Sunday.

Sale did will to restrict the home side to 180-8 in 40 overs, Grant Whittaker with 3-43.

In reply Sale were never in the game despite 50 for opener Tom Jenkinson as they subsided to 108 all out in 35 overs.

Next Saturday Sale 1st XI travel to Congleton and Sale 2nd XI host Bowdon.