SALE Cricket Club's third XI kept up their 100-per-cent record on Sunday, opening up a 15-point lead at the top of the Cheshire County Cricket League Sunday Premier Division after defeating Cheadle.

They got off to a great start, skipper Abas Rizvi and Viraj Sorathia putting on 88 for the first wicket. Rizvi was in dominant mood, scoring 59 off just 58 balls.

Zikria Nadeem (12) joined Sorathia, adding 41 for the second wicket.

Simon Orton started to get Cheadle back into the match, taking wickets at regular intervals, but Sorathia kept his composure as he passed 50.

When Sorathia fell for a well-crafted 62, Sale were 156-6. Sohaib Farooq then hit a quickfire 14 as Sale were bowled out for 179 in the 43rd over, Orton finishing on 6-43.

Shah Zeb got Sale off to the perfect start in the field, removing opener Rocky Kapoor for a duck.

Cheadle continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as they had no answer to spinner Rizvi.

Only Haroon put up any resistance with 40, and when he fell the score was 126-8.

It was not long before Rizvi took the final wickets to end with 7-22 as the visitors were bowled out for 135 in the 39th over.

On Saturday the firsts suffered defeat at Davenham in a rain-affected game.

With the match reduced to 66 overs Sale opted to bat first. Ali Rizvi hit 32 at the top of the order and in-form Jeremy McFarlane hit 69.

But no other batsmen made double figures as Sale were bowled out for 131 in the 33rd over, Robin Taylor taking 4-40.

Aqib Narwaz took two early wickets, but Davenham never looked in trouble, coasting home with five overs to spare for the loss of five wickets.

Both the second and fourth XIs benefited from walkovers at the weekend, Northwich unable to raise a second XI on Saturday and Wilmslow thirds defaulting on Sunday.

Early in the week the Silverbacks' over-40s' match against reigning divisional champions Cheadle Hulme was cancelled due to rain.

On Saturday, the firsts host Urmston and the seconds make the short trip to Ashton-on-Mersey.

On Sunday, the thirds entertain Bramhall and the fourth XI visit Cheadle Hulme.