SALE first XI blew the race for promotion to the ECB Premier League wide open and did their own survival hopes the power of good with a much needed victory over second-placed Davenham in Division One of the Cheshire County Cricket League on Saturday.

Sale needed an eighth-wicket stand of 50 between Lancashire’s Brooke Guest and 16-year-old Sam Battersby to see them home to their target with just one ball to spare in a thrilling finish.

Davenham won the toss and elected to bat on another great track at Dane Road, the home side doing well to restrict them to 203-7 with Jeremy McFarlane (4-70) leading the way.

After losing two early wickets Mat Spells steadied the Sale response with 33.

Ali Barrowman then joined Guest, hitting 55 in quick time to take control of the game.

The loss of Barrowman triggered a flurry of four wickets to leave Sale in a precarious position, before Battersby joined Guest to complete the win.

Guest finished on 64 not out and Battersby hit the winning runs in his 20 not out. 

Sale second XI routed strugglers Northwich to stay in second place in Division Two.

Siyan Siraj hit a magnificent 139no as Sale racked up 261-5 declared in the 39th over, 13-year-old Mo Rizvi providing the main support with 45.

Sale made short work of the second innings, bowling the home side out for 54 inside 20 overs. Siraj (3-6) and Gareth Watterson (3-10) were the leading bowlers.

Sale third XI moved a step closer to the Sunday Premier League title after an important win at Nantwich.

That win, coupled with second-placed Didsbury abandoning their game due to rain, opened up a 42-point lead with just four games to go.

Nantwich posted a competitive 195 all out in their 45 overs, skipper Abas Rizvi taking 5-57.

Sale’s young guns led the way after tea, Viraj Sorathia (58) and Dan Newton (55no) seeing Sale to their target with 16 balls to spare.

The fourth XI made it a 100-point weekend, albeit due to Bredbury St Marks fourths conceding their Division Three East fixture.

Earlier in the week Sale Silverbacks rounded off their over-40s' season with a win at home to Cheadle.

Sale posted 118-6, with the top scorers Paul Battersby (28) and Iain Harrop (25).

In reply, the visitors could only reach 96-5, Rob Moore taking 3-23.

On Saturday the first XI visit Urmston and the seconds welcome third-placed Ashton-on-Mersey to Dane Road.

On Sunday, the third XI travel to Hyde and the fourths have no fixture.