SALE 1st XI returned to winning ways with a dramatic two wicket victory over promoted Weaverham in Division One of the Vivio Cheshire County Cricket League.

Sale got off to the perfect start, reducing Weaverham to 22-3 after asking them to bat first.

Wilden Cornwall and James Lewis (59) rebuilt the inning with a stand of 154 to put Weaverham in a strong position.

The fall of Leeward Island's Cornwall for a fine 123 sparked a mini-collapse as the visitors closed on 227-7, Rick Halkon and Tyrone Lawrence finishing with three wickets apiece.

The start of Sale's innings mirrored the first, as they found themselves at 28-3.

The next two wickets only added a further 27 runs as Sale found themselves on the brink of defeat at 55-5.

It says much for the spirit and belief of second placed Sale that they started to counter attack. Captain Chris Canning added 36 off 34 balls to regain some momentum, but wickets continued to fall.

The game turned in favour of the home side with a crucial stand of 87 for the seventh wicket between Grant and Halkon that took the score to 207.

In desperation Weaverham ran Grant out for 63 backing up at the non-strikers end.

Halkon was joined by Jon Hall (six not out), who together knocked off the final 21 runs to secure victory to the jubilation of their team-mates.

Sale remain five points behind leaders Timperley who they play next weekend in a top of the table clash.

The 3rd XI also secured a fine victory due to some determined lower order batting as an unbeaten eighth wicket stand between Howard Briggs (58) and Manoj Kumar (32) chased down Stockport Georgians total of 177-6 with nine overs to spare.

Mark Almond (33) and Sam Battersby (27) had got the innings going, before a middle order collapse had left Sale reeling.

Shah Zeb has been the pick of the Sale bowling earlier in the day with 3-31.

On Wednesday the Silverbacks, (Over-40's side), kept their 100 per cent record going with a convincing 55-run victory over Bramhall.

Mark Rowe top scored with 33 retired and the consistent Nigel Davenport scored another 30 retired in Sale's 159-4.

Howard Briggs did the damage with the ball, taking 3-7 as Bramhall could only manage 104-8.