SALE Cricket Club's first XI edged a close game on Saturday and progressed in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday, beating Oxton 3-2 in a bowl-out.

And they fought back to secure a winning draw in their Cheshire County League Division One game against Bollington the previous day, thanks to a fine all-round performance from Tyrone Lawrence.

On Saturday, Bollington won the toss and invited Sale to bat, Ian Dixon and Mat Spells reaching 65 without loss at drinks.  They added a further 12 runs before Dixon was first to go for 41.

Spells was next out for 42, adding 31 with Tyrone Lawrence for the second wicket.

With overs running out Lawrence and Brooke Guest looked to accelerate.

Guest hit 47 off 39 balls in an 83-run partnership before Dan Halkon hit 14 off 10 balls in a 21-run stand.

Lawrence finished unbeaten on 60 off 65 balls.

The slow start to the innings meant Sale posted a below par 212-4 on another excellent Dane Road surface.

After an early wicket for Lawrence, Bollington made a confident start, Rick Hough and Faiz Kippie adding 102 for the second wicket before third-choice spinner Dixon made the breakthrough, removing Kippie for 47.

Hough fell lbw to Rick Halkon 20 runs later for a well-constructed 80, but the visitors were still favourites.

With the chase going down to the wire, Lawrence returned to take two wickets in the penultimate over and Ali Barrowman one in the final over to secure a 14-point winning draw as Bollington closed on 207-7.  Lawrence added 4-35 to his runs earlier in the day.

The following day, Sale defeated Oxton to set up a plumb tie against Hyde or Chester Boughton Hall, Lawrence taking the winning wicket in the second round of sudden death.

The match had to be abandoned shortly before tea with Sale on 207-5, Guest unbeaten on a magnificent 107.

The second XI had a good win at Stockport thanks to a fine spell of bowling from Gareth Watterson.

He took 6-35 as the home side were bowled out for 140.

Earlier in the day, Sale had been bowled out for 157, Narsi Ramaswarmy and Joe Cannon making 30 runs apiece.

The third XI were frustrated at Marple on Sunday after persistent rainfall after tea.

Sale dismissed the home team for 114 in the 41st over, Shah Zeb and Joe Cannon both taking three wickets each.

Debutant Dan Newton took two excellent catches in a fine fielding display.

The rainfall left Sale only 20 overs to reach their total and the loss of three early wickets hampered the chase as petered out into an 8-7 draw.

The fourth XI lost by six wickets at Stockport Trinity after being bowled out for 60.

Meanwhile, Sale Silverbacks suffered their second defeat of the season on Wednesday after a batting collapse at Bowdon Vale saw them lose by 29 runs in pursuit of 99.

The first XI travel to Tattenhall on Saturday, while the seconds host Bramhall.

On Sunday the 3rd XI welcome Didsbury and the fourths are at Cheadle Hulme.