THREE of Sale’s five senior teams retained their positions at the top end of their respective divisions in the Cheshire County Cricket League, despite a mixed week of results.

Sale first XI’s batting has been misfiring through the early part of the Division One season and on Saturday at Upton it could not even manage a spark.

Dismissed in the 20th over for a paltry 41, Sale had to rely on extras for the only double-figure contribution.

Upton’s Liam Sundve was Sale’s chief tormentor taking 6-8 in 10 testing overs.

Upton had amassed 196-6 in their innings, thanks chiefly to Chris McArthur who finished unbeaten on 93.

The table-topping seconds spent the early part of Saturday afternoon chasing leather around their Dane Road ground. Lindow made 288-3, with runs aplenty for Mark Ramsden (98), Daniel Braddock (85) and Ian Park (67).

In the second half of the game, Sale were reduced to battling for a draw, which they achieved by reaching 133-8 at the end of their 50 overs.

Lionel Thompson remained 31 not out at the close, while Matt Ramsden made up for the disappointment of missing a ton in the first innings by picking up 5-34 with the ball.

Collecting only three points, Sale slipped down a place to second in Division Two.

The third XI hosted Nantwich on Sunday and were seeking a fifth successive victory.

Batting first, Sale started strongly with Viraj Sorathia making his highest score in senior cricket (68).

Captain and vice-captain, Abbas Rizvi and Praveen Soans, each made 43 as Sale ended on 229-8.

In reply, Nantwich fell to 40-4, with swing bowler Shah Zeb taking 3-12.

The visitors set about saving the game, with Jack Baston’s patient 64no defying all 10 bowlers tried by Sale.

Nantwich closed on 140-5 as Sale picked up 13 points and retained first place in the Sunday Premier Division.

Sale’s only victory of the weekend came at Bredbury St Mark’s where the fourths wrapped up the game before tea, dismissing the hosts for 53.

Isaac Brooks, for the third match running, was the leading wicket-taker with five victims.

Brooks’ left-arm spin was well-supported by incisive bowling from Ian Holland, Joe Wicks and Howard Briggs as well as a near faultless display in the field.

Vaasu Goyal was impressive in the brief run-chase that saw Sale to a nine-wicket victory that extended their lead at the top of the Sunday East Division.

On Wednesday, the Sale Silverbacks over-40s' side visited Bowdon Vale.

The hosts, set a target of 97, chased it down for the loss of a single wicket and now accompany Sale and Urmston in joint first place in the North-East Division.

The firsts are in league action against Oxton on Saturday, while the seconds visit Congleton.

On Sunday, the third XI are at home to Hyde.