SALE first XI won for the first time this season, beating Davenham by five wickets in Division One of the Cheshire County League.

Leg spinner Rick Halkon claimed his first five-wicket haul of the year before Sale coasted home after tea.

Search sponsored Sale invited Davenham to bat first at Dane Road and soon had them in trouble at 19-2.

Mark Greaves (41) and Sam Hunt (60) led the recovery, being well placed on 100-2 at drinks.

Taz Thayalan took two wickets immediately after the break, and soon had a third as the visitors began to falter.

Halkon then took a wicket with the first ball of his second spell to remove the dangerous Begg as the lower order had no answer to his leg spin, finishing with 5-33 as Davenham reached 169.

In reply, Ian Dixon and Mat Spells got the home side off to a good start before Dixon chipped to mid-off.

This brought in Tyrone Lawrence who smashed 29, including 20 in one over from Taylor, before misjudging some spin.

Brooke Guest joined Spells, who looked like calmly knocking off the score before he holed out to long-on two runs short of a deserved 50.

Two late consolation wickets never looked like changing the result as Guest finished unbeaten on 44 and Sale reached 170-5 with 12 overs to spare.

Sale Silverbacks continued their winning start in the Over-40s competition, beating Bramhall by seven wickets on Wednesday.

Pete Britton got the Silverbacks off to the perfect start with two wickets in the first over.

Stuart Stoneman made a brisk 31 retired and Paul Hanrahan claimed 2-30 as Bramhall posted 110-6.

In reply, Sale were always ahead of the required rate, Hanrahan and Mark Rowe both making 30 in even time.

With the target in sight, Davenport and Asad then knocked the final 20 runs off in just 12 balls to complete a comfortable chase.

Sale second XI could not get the final wicket in a tense finish at Davenham.

Siyan Siraj top scored with 70 as Sale posted 171 in the 44th over but they rued not batting their full allocation as the home side reached their target in the 54th over for the loss of nine wickets, Ben Watkin and Gareth Watterson taking two wickets apiece.

Sale third XI made a much better effort with the bat on Sunday reaching 184-9, Ian Holland 45, Iain Harrop 41 and Abas Rizvi 41 the leading scorers.

Hyde made the chase look easy on a good wicket at Dane Road, reaching their target for the loss of just two wickets.

The fourth XI played their first game, with a losing draw at Timperley – skipper Nigel Davenport leading from the front with 60.

On Saturday the first XI visit league leaders Weaverham and the second XI host Brooklands.

On Sunday the fourth XI host Disley while the thirds' game at Grappenhall is being rearranged.

On Wednesday the Silverbacks visit Cheadle.