SALE Silverbacks qualified for the Over-40s play-offs after securing a six-wicket victory over Urmston Tigers in the Cheshire County League North-East Division.

Urmston elected to bat first and made positive start reaching 24 off the first four overs.

Two wickets in four balls for Pete Britton and Graham Bolton checked their reply.

Bolton kept the pressure on, also picking up Chris Turner in his spell of 2-9.

Spinner Tariq Butt kept control of the middle overs, picking up two further wickets.

With opener Colin Riddler retiring for 31, it was left to Stuart Higginbottom (26 not out) to marshal the score to 112-7.

Mark Rowe and Abas Rizvi got the Silverbacks off to a great start in their reply, adding 42 for the first wicket.

Rizvi was first to go for 17. Then skipper Iain Harop was looking good on 17 when he fell to a sharp catch from Shetty.

With Rowe retiring shortly after for 33 it was left to Bolton to see the Silverbacks home, doing it in style hitting his third six off Kurt Edgington with four balls to spare as Sale reached 114-4.

The Silverbacks will meet leaders Cheadle Hulme to determine who finishes champions and secures a home draw in the quarter-finals.

Sale first XI lost ground in their chase for one of the promotion spots in Division One after securing a winning draw at Davenham.

After being asked to bat first Sale were reduced to 24-2. Brooke Guest and Luke McCoy then added 95 for the third wicket. Guest fell immediately after drinks for 51.

McCoy then took the score to 151 when he watch caught for 70.  Skipper Chris Canning played a typically aggressive innings, adding 49 off 37 balls, as Sale closed on 229-9.

Sale made a good start in the field, reducing the home side to 8-2. Sam Hunt then added a quickfire 35 before he became one of Rick Halkon’s three victims.

Opener Christian’s 67-ball vigil finally ended when he was dismissed by Richard Adams for 19.

Canning kept ringing the changes to force the win but despite two late wickets for Tyrone Lawrence, Davenham were happy to settle for a losing draw as their innings closed on 177-8. The points finished 14-7 in favour of Sale.

In the reverse fixture at Dane Road, the seconds secured a fine victory to move into the top half of the table.

After being 92-3 at drinks the visitors were restricted to 178-6 off their 50 overs, Ben Watkins taking 3-35.

After tea, Sale chased down the total with time to spare.

Siyan Siraj hit a powerful 59 before being caught at long-on.  At the other end opener Joe Cannon played sensibly reaching 51 with the total in sight.

Watkins completed a fine all-round display, knocking off the remaining runs in his 46 not out to secure a six-wicket win.

Sale third XI suffered a six-wicket defeat at Alderley Edge on Sunday.

Skipper Ian Holland led the way with 60, well supported by Soans Praveen (28) as Sale posted 171-9 in 45 overs.

In reply, the home team were reduced to 28-3, with two wickets for Mal Clarke and one for Robbie Squire.

However they only lost one more wicket as they knocked off the runs with 15 balls to spare, Sam Perry (78) and R Mallard (50no) top scoring for Alderley Edge, with substitute wicketkeeper Will Radcliffe claiming three victims.

The firstt XI welcome Weaverham on Saturday, while the seconds make the short trip to Brooklands.

On Sunday, the 3rd XI play at Bramhall and the fourths entertain Ashley.