SALE Cricket Club's first XI held on for a draw at third-placed Widnes in Division One of the Cheshire County Cricket League, while the second and third teams both had decisive wins in their quests for silverware.

The firsts asked Widnes to bat first and their opener Danny Naughton hit 75, but he struggled to find a partner to stay with him as Sale reduced the home team to 150-7.

The late-order then added quick runs to post 207 all out in the 50th over, suffering four run-outs in pursuit of a target, Jeremy McFarlane and Rich Adams finishing with two wickets apiece.

Sale made a steady response, anchored by Mat Spells who hit an unbeaten 81 at number three.

Tight bowling from the home side meant Sale fell behind the required rate, finally closing on 167-5 and securing seven points.

Sale's second XI secured a big win at home to divisional leaders Stockport Georgians, closing the gap at the top to just 11 points.

They asked the visitors to bat first and restricted them to 176-9, Siyan Siraj leading the way with 4-46, well supported by Abas Rizvi (3-28).

In the end Sale coasted home with six overs to spare, Rizvi showing his all-round abilities with 56 and young batsman Dan Newton enhancing his reputation with an unbeaten 50.

The third XI continue to set the pace at the top of the Sunday Premier Division with a 128-run defeat of Marple.

All top-six batsman made double figures as Sale posted 207 all out in the 44th over, opener Mohammed Rizvi top-scoring with 50.

After tea, Marple struggled to come to terms with the Sale attack, subsiding to 79 all out inside 31 overs, Abas Rizi taking 4-28.

On Sunday, the fourths toiled hard, achieving a winning draw against Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge.

Losing the toss again, Sale were invited to bat and posted 221-5.

Opener Jay Jayaraman made an impressive 44, and junior coach Ian Habershon played a stunning innings of 125, including some exceptionally powerful boundary hitting.

The dependable and consistent Joe Wicks then took two early wickets and should have had another, however a dropped catch ultimately proved costly, enabling batters to build a key partnership.

Sale fought back well, with Howard Briggs taking two wickets and Ian Habershon picking up three wickets.

The game went down to the last over, with Habershon taking the ninth wicket, but Sale were unable to claim the last wicket for a win, Ladybridge finishing on 184-9. 

Roshan Mathew made 73 for the visitors.

Earlier in the week, Sale Silverbacks, the over'40s side, were a distant second to Cheadle Hulme.

Chasing 148-2, Sale reached 91-7 with Paul Hanrahan hitting 30 retired.

On Saturday, the first XI host Macclesfield and the seconds travel to Cheadle Hulme, while on Sunday, the thirds visit Alderley Edge and the fourth XI host Lindow thirds.