Brooklands CC v Sale (From Messenger Newspapers)

Brooklands CC v Sale

3:07pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 in Sport

BROOKLANDS and Sale played out an entertaining draw in Cheshire County League Division 1 at Georges Road on Saturday.

Sale captain Ian Dixon elected to bat on what turned out to be a flat, easy-paced batting wicket and the visitors started well, with Dan Halkon (32) stylishly picking off any loose deliveries.

Brooklands came back into the game as AJ Hart (18-7-42-3) found an excellent rhythm, bowling in tandem with spinner Naveed Din (18-1-76-3). At 85-4, Sale looked to be in trouble, but a 78 run partnership between Dixon (59*) and Chris Canning (35) allowed Sale to close at 187-7 from their 50 overs, a score that still looked below par given the conditions.

Brooklands' reply got off to a flying start as John Birchall (39 from 29 balls) took the attack to Sale.

However, Rick Halkon (19-5-59-3) and Calvin Flowers (22-7-60-2) both bowled with excellent control, and the runs dried up.

At 69-3, Sale were on top, but a 63 run partnership between captain Dave Madden (52) and Nafees Din (52*) put Brooklands back in control. When Madden was run out, the hosts required 56 from the final eight overs with six wickets in hand, and Din well set. However, the required run rate continued to rise as Brooklands were unable to find the boundary against the visitors' impressive spin attack. With 10 needed from the final two balls, AJ Hart launched a huge six over the leg side, but he was unable to repeat the feat off the final ball and Brooklands closed at 184-6.

Sale edged the points 10-8.

The following day, Brooklands travelled to Macclesfield in the Cheshire Cup, and played out another exciting game. The visitors will have been delighted to restrict their Premier League opponents to 216-6 from 45 overs on the small ground. They looked to be in control for the majority of their reply, before a succession of soft dismissals handed the initative back to the hosts. Six were required for victory from the final ball but only one was scored, and Brooklands closed at 212-9.

On Saturday Brooklands visit high-flying Bowdon, a 1pm start at South Downs Road.