SALE Cricket Club's first XI held on for a draw in Division One of the Cheshire County Cricket League after Marple had dominated much of the match.

Sale’s final pair batted out the final overs some 100 runs short of their target.

They got off to a good start, taking the early wicket of Matkin and then Crisall to make the score 49-2.

Mark Bennett (81) and Paul Wood (88) then added 128 for the third wicket to take the game away from Sale.

Influential spinner Jeremy McFarlane took both their wickets in a spell of 3-73. Ali Barrowman then returned to claim 4-63 as Marple closed on 234-8.

Several Sale batsmen got starts, but none went on to play the big innings needed.

Opener Matt Spells continued his good form with 31, while McFarlane (32) and Ben Watkins (27) chipped in.

Final pair Rich Adams and Aqib Nawaz held on at 134-9 for the draw.

Earlier in the week the firsts got their T20 cup campaign off to a winning start, beating Urmston by eight wickets, Watkins taking two wickets in Urmston’s 138-5 and McFarlane hitting 59 as Sale coasted home with two overs to spare.

The second XI secured a comfortable win at home to Alvanley, Siyan Siraj top scoring with 76 as Sale posted a below-par 148.

In reply, Alvanley never got into the game as Siraj and Gareth Watterson reduced the visitors to 21-6.

Mal Clarke then came on to clean up the tail as Alvanley were sent back for 85, Watterson and Clarke finishing with three wickets each.

On Sunday, the third XI chalked up another win at home to Alderley Edge in what turned out to be a tense finish.

The visitors racked up 175-5 in their 45 overs, George Bell finishing unbeaten on 73 with Abas Rizvi and Sohaib Farooq taking two wickets each.

Sale were going well in reply with opener Sam Battersby hitting 54, before a rain interruption meant four vital overs were lost in the chase.

Some hard hitting from Mo and Abas Rizvi gave Sale a chance, but they both fell with 30 runs still required for victory.

Soans Praveen, with a run-a-ball 19, and Kashaf Baig, with 18 off just nine balls, got Sale home with three balls to spare.

Sale fourth Xl held on for a losing draw at Lindow on Sunday.

Winning the toss, Lindow batted first and reached 180 all out.

Pick of the Sale bowlers was spinner Isaac Brooks, taking 6-35 including a hat-trick.

Howard Briggs and Asad Khan also took two wickets each, Saad Khan, Joe Wicks and Mal Clarke all bowling tidy spells.

In reply, Sale started well with Jay Jayoraman making an impressive 30 and Will Radcliffe, 23.

A middle-order collapse saw Sale struggling, however a composed Isaac Brooks and nervy Nick Brooks batted out for a draw.

Earlier in the week, Sale Silverbacks – the over-40s' side – comfortably beat newcomers Whalley Range by nine wickets, Mark Almond taking 2-14 out of the hosts' 148-4.

In reply, the Silverbacks were always ahead of the rate, Abas Rizvi opening up with 33 retired and Mark Rowe 35ret. Praveen then proved his batting was better than his fielding with 30ret, before Paul Battersby smashed the winning runs in his 33ret.

On Saturday the first XI visit Davenham and the seconds host Northwich, while on Sunday the third XI entertain Bramhall and the fourths visit Cheadle Hulme.