SALE Cricket Club's first XI kicked off a new season in the Cheshire County League Division One with a comfortable win at bogey team Davenham thanks to an unbeaten century from Tyrone Lawrence – making an immediate impact on his return to the club following a season at Timperley.

Sale won the toss and asked the home side to bat first against their most successful combination of recent seasons, Lawrence opening up with Rick Halkon, himself returning from a two-year sabbatical.

They made the breakthrough as Davenham were reduced to 34-2.

Ben Gough and Sam Hunt then looked to be putting the home side in a strong position as they reached 131-2 at drinks.

In an old cricketing cliché the drinks interval brought the breakthrough as Hunt (43) and Gough (71) both fell to first-change bowlers Rich Adams and Ben King without adding to the score.

Sale then took control as the remaining six wickets fell for just 48 runs as the hosts were dismissed for 179 in the 42nd over, Halkon returning to claim 4-40, supported by Adams (2-28) and Ben Watkins (2-15).

Despite the early loss of new signing Matt Wilson for four, Sale looked in complete control after tea, Greg Gyves and Lawrence reaching 95-1 at the drinks interval.

Sale also lost a wicket shortly after drinks as Gyves fell for 35, but there was no collapse in the second innings as Lawrence and Mat Spells saw the visitors to their target in the 47th over.

This allowed Lawrence to mark his return with a century, finishing on 106 not out, Spells adding an unbeaten 24.

Sale's second XI had to settle for a draw in their opening game at home to Tattenhall.

New skipper Jamal Benzafar won the toss as Sale dominated the early exchanges, restricting the visitors to 25-3 off 18 overs.

Dane Tinsley and Matt Spann then added 89 in even time to put the visitors on top, before the extra pace of Mal Clarke in his second spell made the vital breakthroughs.

Clarke finished with 4-33, well supported by Siyan Siraj (3-12) as Tattenhall closed on 176-9.

Sale were disappointed not to reach their target as a number of batsmen made good starts, including openers Benzafar (28) and Viraj Sorathia (31).

Sam Battersby, with a well-crafted 52, held the innings together, but when he fell Sale were forced to bat out for a draw 18 runs short of their target.

The third XI got off to a winning start, beating Urmston by 49 runs in their T20 cup match on Sunday.

Sale’s trio of talented youngsters led the way as they posted a formidable 162-8, Mohammad Rizvi top scoring with 42, well supported by Dan Newton (36) and Viraj Sorathia (25).

In reply Urmston were always behind the required rate, reaching 113-4 off their 20 overs, Sohail taking 2-13.

This weekend, the firsts host former Premier League champions Hyde to Dane Road and the seconds travel to Bramhall.

On Sunday the third XI play a T20 cup fixture at Hale Barns.