A DETERMINED performance from Sale’s lower order set up a tense three-wicket win over Tattenhall in Division One of the Vivio Cheshire County Cricket League.

Sale recovered from 52-5 to chase down 200 and secure a league leading 10th win of the season. Second placed Timperley could only manage a draw, extending Sale’s lead to 20 points.

Hosts Sale started with some tight bowling despite losing the toss. Tattenhall had reached 37 in the 16th over when Tyrone Lawrence took a stunning one handed catch off his own bowling.

Opener Glen Coppack and Stuart Sadler added just seven runs before Sadler was bowled by Rick Halkon for one.

Coppack and captain Oli Thompson then added 40 before Coppack skied a shot off Ali Barrowman and was routinely caught by Lawrence for 45. When overseas Dan Power was given out LBW off Halkon attempting a sweep shot Tattenhall were 99-4.

Thompson and Josh Harding then added 67 at a good rate when Harding looped the easiest of chances to Ryan Rickelton at cover, leaving Tattenhall 166-5 with five overs to go.

Two more wickets fell before Thompson and Dave Shewring added 17 for the eighth wicket to steer the visitors to 200. Thompson finishing 86 not out, Halkon 3-67.

Sale’s chase got off to the worst possible start, losing three wickets for one run to Power. When Keith Wellings was fifth man out for 15 Sale were reduced to 52-5 at drinks.

Rob Grant and Chris Canning came together, adding 49 before Grant missed a straight one from Alan Brock for 17.

Captain Canning put his foot down soon after passing 50, dominating a 37-run partnership (off just 28 balls) with Ali Barrowman. Just as he looked to take the game away, he was trapped LBW by the returning Power for an almost flawless 73.

Sale still needed 63 to win with only three wickets remaining. Barrowman (44) and number nine Ben Watkin (27) produced a match-winning stand for Sale, ending when Watkin edged Henry Dobson to third man to complete a three-wicket victory. Power finished with 5-61 for the visitors.

The second XI suffered a reverse at Tattenhall that mirrored the result at Sale. Having posted a below par 153-6 (Mat Spells 55, Iain Harrop 33), Sale reduced the home side to 19-4 and 60-6 and looked set for the win. However some determined lower order batting saw Tattenhall home by two wickets in the 45th over.

The 3rd XI kept their promotion hopes alive with a comfortable 8 wicket victory against Cheadle 4th XI on Sunday.

Rob Moore picked up 3-37 as Cheadle were restricted to 154-9. In replay Sale made a cautious start, but accelerated well after drinks to reach their target with two overs in hand. Mark Almond batting through for a well-judged 88 not out, supported by Dan Osborne (30 not out) and Joe Cannon (22).