SALE third team took centre stage this weekend as heavy rain on Saturday caused the abandonment of both the 1st and 2nd XI matches.

A five wicket haul from Robbie Squire set up a convincing six-wicket win over Ashley in Sunday third team Division One East of the Vivio Cheshire County Cricket League.

The win keeps Sale in second place and maintains the pressure on leaders Heaton Mersey.

Stand-in skipper Rob Moore won the toss and asked Ashley to bat first. Sale got off to a great start as the home captain hit the eighth ball of the innings to James Hall at midwicket off Robbie Squire.

Mike Plant and Alex Morfitt added 28 before two quick wickets for Squire reduced Ashley to 40-3. Moore then replaced the luckless Shah Zeb and struck immediately.

Squire took two further wickets, including top scorer Morfitt for 22, as Ashley slumped to 58-6. He finished with 5-26 from his 10 overs.

Only four more runs were added as smart return catch for Moore and two wickets in two balls for Manoj Kumar left Ashley on the brink at 62-9.

Peter Burgess (12) and George Harrison (12) added 19 runs for the final wicket before Moore bowled Harrison to finish with 3-13 and leave Ashley 81 all out in the 27th over.

Sale chased down their target for the loss of four wickets. Opener Sam Battersby scored a well-crafted 22 and Mark Almond made an entertaining 15 as Sale coasted home in the 25th over.

Sale first team's match at Cheadle Hulme lasted less than 12 overs before a heavy downpour caused its abandonment.

Sale were rattling along at 45-2 when the heavens opened, Tyrone Lawrence 36 not out. Lawrence’s fine form this season saw him make his minor counties debut for Cheshire against Berkshire on Sunday.

Fortunately for Sale, both Timperley and Oulton Park lost, meaning they remain nine points clear at the top of the table despite only collecting seven points.

Sale second team got as far as drinks at home to Nantwich before rain intervened. Sale were 97-6 off 25 overs, Rick Hampton top scored with 45.