Sale One's stay in touch with leader as Four's crowned champions

There was no change at the top of division one of the Cheshire County league on Saturday after the top three sides all won, with varying degrees of ease.

I S Recruitment sponsored Sale in third place needed to show all their resolve to win a tight game at strugglers Alvanley.

The home side made a confident start after being asked to bat first by Sale, reaching 54 before Michael Rowlands was bowled by Tyrone Lawrence for 28.

Eight runs later George Walker ran out fellow opener Henry Young for 30.

Sale were eyeing up a short chase as Avanley continued to lose wickets to the rampant Lawrence.  Two wickets on 128 and a further wicket on 132 saw the score a precarious 132-8.

Tony Honeysett (29 not out) and James Ecclestone (24) then added 36 for the 8th wicket before the home side eventually closed on 176-9.  Lawrence finishing with a seasons best 6-31.

Sale lost out of form Pat Ashling early before Lawrence and Mat Spells added 50 for the first wicket.

As in the first innings wickets fell in clusters. Lawrence was first to go for 38, soon followed by Spells for 21.

Fortunately for Sale Dan Newton at number 4 dug in whilst partners were going at the other end.  Mike Bishop and Walker both made starts but nobody able to stay with Newton.

However Newton and Sale were seemingly in control with 3 wickets in hand and Newton on 72 off 86 balls (3 fours and 4 sixes), before one final twist in the tale.

Newton run out going for a second run to tie the score, all three results possible with one ball to spare.

Thankfully for Sale Amlyn Layton kept his nerve, as he had done 7 days before, punching 2 off the last ball to get Sale home off the final delivery.

Sale remain 20 points behind joint leaders Bowdon and Timperley with 3 games to go.

This proved to be the only cricket played by Sale over the weekend.  Sale’s home match against Neston was cancelled without a ball being bowled.

On Sunday Sale were hosting the Sunday T20 finals day, unfortunately another washout in a very wet season.

The cancellation of Sale 4th XI’s trip to Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge did at least confirm that Sale finished champions of division 4.

Next Saturday Sale 1st XI welcome Oulton Park to Dane Road and the 2nd XI travel to Nantwich, whilst on Sunday Sale 3rd XI travel to Didsbury.

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