SALE first XI got back to winning ways with a comprehensive seven-wicket win against relegation-threatened Cheadle Hulme on Saturday to stay in fifth place in Division One of the Cheshire County League and retain an outside chance of promotion.

Sale won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first, and they got off to a bad start when skipper Keith Wellings was run out for four.

Leg-spinner Rick Halkon soon found his rhythm, picking up the next four wickets to reduce Cheadle Hulme to 54-5 at drinks. Top scorer Qasim Ali was his final victim, well caught by Tyrone Lawrence for 31.

Sohaib Abbasi was next to go for 22 with the score on 68, one of two wickets for Richard Adams.

The final four wickets fell for 18 runs, Cheadle Hulme being bowled out for 86 in the 40th over – Ben Watkins with a brace and Ali Barrowman with one. Halkon finished as the leading bowler with 4-42.

A brief shower during the tea break offered some hope to the visitors, but it soon passed as Sale looked to wrap up the win.

Despite the early wicket of Brooke Guest for 10, Sale were always in control.

Lawrence and Mat Spells added 58 for the second wicket before Lawrence was first to fall for 32, followed six runs later by Spells for 28.

Skipper Chris Canning and Ian Dixon calmly knocked off the remaining runs as Sale closed on 87-3 to secure the win.

With news that second-placed Grappenhall had beaten leaders Didsbury, Sale are now 43 points off a promotion place with just 75 points to play for.

The third XI took a big step towards maintaining their Sunday Premier Division status after winning a tight game in strange circumstances.

With six runs required off the last 10 balls the combination of a bye and five penalty runs for the ball striking a helmet on the field secured the win.

Sale asked Marple to bat first, Rob Moore making an early breakthrough.

Opener Mark Nicholson anchored the innings with 67, but Sale’s triple spin attack kept the run rate under control, Sulaiman Butt being the pick with 3-36 as Marple closed on 151-6 off their 45 overs.

Sale's reply got off to the worst possible start, losing both openers for two runs and slumping to 39-4.

Two promising young cricketers led the fightback as Joe Cannon, aged 16, and Dan Newton, aged 13, added 66 for the sixth wicket.

Newton was the aggressor, adding 41 in support of opener Cannon who anchored the innings with 61 not out.

Despite losing Newton and Butt, Sale reached their target to secure the win.

The second XI lost the reverse fixture at Cheadle Hulme on Saturday, Abas Rizvi top scoring with 73 in a below par 120 all out.

The home team reached their target for the loss of four wickets, Zikria Nadeem with 2-8.

Meanwhile, the fourth XI lost at Stockport Trinity on Sunday.

Sale's first XI welcome Marple on Saturday and the seconds travel to Nantwich.

On Sunday, the third XI travel to champions Didsbury and the fourths play their final game of the season at home to Cheadle Hulme.