SALE'S first XI all but secured their Cheshire County League Division One status on Saturday with victory at Oxton.

The combination of a three-wicket win for Sale and Warrington’s defeat at Bollington means only a freak set of results between now and the end of the season would see Sale relegated.

Sale did well to dismiss the home team for 170 in the 48th over after Oxton reached 64 for the loss of one wicket, Rich Adams taking 3-16 and regular wicketkeeper Brooke Guest showing his bowling skills with 3-24. Greg Gyves and Jeremy McFarlane chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Jamal Benzafar (15) and Gyves (24) both got starts as Sale reached 49-2.

McFarlane and Mat Spells then put together the match-winning partnership, adding 85 for the fourth wicket.

The loss of Spells for 30 and McFarlane for 65 prompted a mini collapse, before skipper Keith Wellings saw his side home with 10 not out.

The seconds continue to set the pace at the top of Division Two with a comfortable eight-wicket win against lowly Congleton, maintaining a 21-point advantage over second-placed Stockport Georgians.

Congleton posted a below-par 156-7 off their 50 overs after being asked to bat first. Gareth Watterson, with 3-29, and Grant Whittaker, with 2-35, were the leading bowlers for Sale.

After tea Sale made short work of the reply, Whittaker smashing 65 off just 43 balls and Siyan Siraj, with 40no off 30 balls, providing the fireworks.

Young opener Zikria Nadeem finished on 33no as Sale reached their target in the 31st over.

With Sale's third XI winning the Sunday Premier Division title at Bramhall, the fourths made it a full house of wins as they beat Cheadle Hulme to stay top of Division Three East on Sunday.

Cheadle Hulme posted 140-6 off 40 overs, with stand-in captain Howard Briggs leading the way with 2-8.

Sale coasted to victory after tea, reaching their target with seven overs to spare for the loss of just two wickets, Ian Habershon finishing on 71no and Nadeem 36no.

On Saturday, the first XI welcome Bollington to Dane Road and the seconds play the reverse fixture.

On Sunday, the thirds host Didsbury and the fourth XI travel to Stockport Trinity.