THE top of the table clash between Cheshire League Division One leaders Sale and third-placed Oulton Park ended with a dramatic tied score.

The visitors needed a run out from the last ball of the game to prevent an Oulton Park victory and keep their promotion hopes on track.

Sale were asked to bat first at the small and picturesque Oulton Park ground and openers Ian Dixon and Ryan Rickelton got off to a good start adding 73 for the first wicket.

The loss of Rickelton for 38, Dixon for 36 and Tyrone Lawrence for one in short order reduced Sale to 90-4.

Danny Halkon added a patient 19 before falling to a caught and bowled chance to Iroshan De Silva as Sale started to rebuild. Chris Canning and Rob Greenhough (22) then added 49 for the sixth wicket.

With Sale needing to accelerate to post a competitive total Captain Canning played a typically counter-attacking innings, adding 60.

Ali Barrowman continued the hitting, adding a rapid 29 to ensure Sale posted a competitive 220 all out in the final over.

Oulton Park got off to a confident start as Martin East hit a run-a-ball 31 and Danny Leach an assured 47 as the home team reached 110-2.

De Silva was next to go for 39, run out by Lawrence, a mode of dismissal that would go on to cost Oulton Park.

At 182-5 the home side looked well set for a victory, knowing they had to win to close the gap on a promotion place. Sale showed their sharpness in the field in the closing overs as they affected three more run outs as the home side tried the get over the line.

The game reached a thrilling conclusion as Andrew Mills, well set on 28 off 29 balls, was run out by Lawrence going for the winning run. The final points tally of 14-16 ensured Sale remain 37 points clear of third place.