SALE Cricket Club secured their second league title of the year as the second XI were crowned champions of Cheshire County League Division Two on Saturday, securing a return to Division One at the first attempt after relegation a year ago.

After confirming promotion last week, Sale needed just four points to wrap up the divisional title at relegated Weaverham, and did so in style with a 218-run victory.

Opener Grant Whittaker set the tone, smashing 57 off just 36 balls at the top of the order in a 74-run opening stand with Zikria Nadeem (14).

Both openers fell within seven runs of each other as Jamal Benzafar continued the scoring rate, passing 50 as Sale collected the four bonus points they needed to secure the title.

Banzafar scored 54 out of a stand of 66 with Siyan Siraj (11) for the third wicket, and a further 33 in a stand of 50 with Dan Newton for the fourth.

Benzafar eventually fell for 89 off 59 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

Newton then went on to post 58 not out off a relatively pedestrian 42 balls as Sale declared on 259-5 from 34 overs.

They made short work of the reply against bottom-placed Weaverham, dismissing the home side for just 41 inside 18 overs to start the celebrations.

Occasional bowler Lionel Thompson took two early wickets, as did Newton and Mo Rizvi, as Sale secured their 16th win from 22 games and finished 21 points clear of second-placed Stockport Georgians.

Sale's fourths were prevented from winning a third league title by the weather as their final game at Heaton Mersey was cancelled, leaving Lindow to pip them by 10 points.

Sale first XI enjoyed a comfortable win to end their season in the reverse fixture over Weaverham at Dane Road.

With the visitors relegated and Sale safe the game had an end-of-season feel about it.

Weaverham were dismissed for 146 in the 35th over, Jeremy McFarlane leading the way with 4-31, backed up by Mal Clarke, and Greg Gyves took two wickets.

A rain interruption came at the right time, with Sale reeling at 34-5 off 20 overs.

The break gave the home side time to regroup, as Sale went on the reach their target without losing a further wicket, Australian McFarlane showing his all-round qualities finishing unbeaten on 68, well-supported by Joe Cannon (48no).

Sale were left to celebrate a very successful season securing two league titles, the third XI being crowned overall Sunday Premier League champions and the seconds winning Division Two. 

The first XI achieved their aim of staying in Division One and the fourths progressed from finishing bottom of the league to just missing out on their own league title.