SALE Cricket Club started the 2019 season with a double header against Urmston and while the first XI came up short in their run chase, the seconds secured an impressive win as all-rounders Tyron Lawrence and Dan Newton showed some early-season form.

At Urmston, the firsts asked the home side to bat first in Division One of the Cheshire County League.

The Sale bowlers found it hard work in perfect batting conditions and after surviving a close lbw shout Callum Turner led the way, putting on 132 for the first wicket with Arav Shetty.

Shetty (47) was first to go as he was caught at the wicket off Matt Wilson, who then affected the run out of Turner for 78 with the score on 160.

Despite Urmston’s opening partnership Sale did not let the home side get away.

After Lewis Jackson and Sumit Panda added 45 for the third wicket, Sale took five wickets for the addition of just 20 runs, Isaac Brooks taking 3-87 and Tyrone Lawrence 2-43.

With a few lusty blows from the Urmston tail they closed on 248-9.

Despite the early loss of Viraj Sorathia, Sale made a confident start and Greg Gyves kept the scoreboard moving with 54 off 68 balls at the top of the order as he added 73 for the third wicket with Lawrence.

After Gyves was caught off Shetty, Wilson then joined Lawrence as they added 61 for the fourth wicket.

Lawrence proved to be the crucial wicket as he was caught for 67 off 86 balls with the score on 161.

Summer signing Gaz Burns then took 5-51 as Sale were bowled out for 202 in the 48th over and they were left to rue their shot selection with nine caught dismissals as they collected seven points.

The seconds secured a comfortable seven-wicket win in the reverse fixture at Dane Road.

Dan Newton (3-41) and Siyan Siraj (4-58), did the damage as the visitors were dismissed for 179 in the 37th over.

Sale would have been chasing a lot less if it had not been for a barnstorming 67 off 58 from number nine batsman Aaron Moore.

Sam Battersby hit 53 and debutant James Dodds 20 as Sale got off to a good start in the reply.

Newton (74 not out) and Sasiraj Pushparajah (19no) saw Sale to their target for the loss of three wickets in the 42nd over, Newton’s 74 coming off just 59 balls.

On Saturday, the first XI make the short trip to Brooklands and the seconds play the reverse fixture at Dane Road.