SALE Cricket Club's second XI pulled off a dramatic first win of the season in a low-scoring affair at Upton on Saturday.

They won by 13 runs in their Cheshire County League Division One match after posting just 128 in the first innings.

Search-sponsored Sale elected to bat first, but soon found themselves in trouble as wickets began to tumble.

Sam Battersby top scored with 29 at number six, well supported by Sandeep Yadala, whose late-order 19 runs would prove to be crucial.

After tea Upton got off to a confident start, before the introduction of Siyan Siraj turned the game dramatically in Sale’s favour.

He ripped through the middle order with a spell of 5-26 to leave the home side reeling.

Siraj also affected a run-out in an excellent display of fielding that saw Sale hold a number of important catches, including three for Gareth Watterson.

As the Upton tail wagged from 77-7 to 110-8 the tension rose before Watterson and Abas Rizvi took the last two wickets to secure the win.

The reverse fixture at Sale promised to produce an equally-thrilling finish before a Sale first XI collapse led to an 81-run win for Upton.

Sale asked the visitors to bat first and despite an early breakthrough from Rick Halkon, the home side were soon toiling on an excellent batting surface at Dane Road.

Chris McArthur and Chris Stowell-Smith added 140 for the second wicket, McArthur finishing on 138 as Upton declared on 247-4 off 47 overs.

Sale were going well at 100-3 at the halfway stage, led by 64 from opener Greg Gyves.

However the drinks break worked for the visitors as Sale lost three quick wickets.

Ryan Burgess looked like he might salvage a draw for Sale with a patient 44, but when he fell the last two Sale wickets soon followed as the home side were bowled out for 166.

On Sunday, the third XI secured a comfortable victory against Hyde at Dane Road.

Sale asked the visitors to bat first and restricted them to 176-9 off their 45 overs.

Skipper Abas Rizvi led the way with 3-22, well supported by Shah Zeb and Moh Rizvi with a brace apiece.         

Sale lost two early wickets, but from 14-2 Rizvi senior led from the front with 57 at number three.

Soans Praveen added 26 in a stand of 78 before Asad Khan saw Sale home with an unbeaten 58.