SALE Silverbacks failed in their quest to be Vivo Cheshire County Over-40s champions for the second time after being well beaten by Neston in the re-arranged final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Neston cruised to an eight-wicket victory after restricting Sale to a below par 89-6.

Having won the toss and without the usual T20 fielding restrictions, Neston were able to keep the Sale top order to three runs an over in the early stages with some tight bowling.

At the half way stage Sale had slumped to 30-4.

Mark Almond (25 not out) did his best to set a defendable total, with late support from Nigel Davenport (18) and Soans Praveen (16), as the home side reached 89-6.

Sale needed early wicket to have any chance of winning, but were unable to make the breakthrough as former first-class cricketer Brad Donelan (31 retired) and Chris Hackett (21) added 43 for the first wicket.

Ian Holland took two wickets to give Sale a glimmer of hope, but with the aid of a couple of dropped catches Neston reached their target in the 14th over.

Elsewhere Sale first team lost to promotion rivals Urmston on Saturday, but did pick up nine valuable points, maintaining a 27-point cushion over third-placed Oulton Park.

Sale were well restricted in the early stages as they struggled to get the scoring rate above three runs per over.

With 15 overs to go Sale had only reached 85.

Tyrone Lawrence (79) and Ryan Rickelton (54) led the acceleration as Sale added 130 in the last 15 overs to post a defendable score of 215-8.

Whilst being 25 runs short of a par score on the excellent Dane Road track, the late flurry did ensure Sale secured maximum batting points.

Urmston ran out comfortable winners after tea, securing a six-wicket victory in the 49th over, Ali Barrowman picking up two wickets as Callum Parkinson (83) and Calum Turner (80) kept Urmston in the hunt for a promotion spot.

A youthful looking second team picked up an unexpected win on a sporting wicket at Bowdon.

Roux Joubert top scored with 56 as Sale were bowled out for only 135 in the final over.

This proved to be 30 too many for Bowdon as Gareth Watterson sent them back with a fine 7-31.

The third team chalked up another convincing win against fading Didsbury fourth team. Shah Zeb took 3-26 as Sale restricted the home side to 149-6.

Sale coasted home after tea with eight overs to spare, led by 59 from Mark Almond.

The third string still have an outside chance of promotion, but need Heaton Mersey to be well beaten in their last game next Sunday to stand any chance.