SALE Silverbacks over-40s took centre stage for the club with the wet weekend washing out all the club's other games – and they triumphed away against Bowdon Vale in the North East Division of the Cheshire County League.

Looking to continue their recent upturn of form, Sale lost the toss on a soft wicket and found stroke-play difficult.

However, openers Keith Welling and Paul Hanrahan quickly assessed conditions and played patiently, looking to rotate the strike and use their feet against the Vale attack.

Wellings and Hanrahan both retired on 30, leaving Sale a platform from which to build.

Ian Habershon, playing his first game of the season, duly accelerated before he was caught at long-on for 23.

With the game in the balance Nigel Davenport played the pivotal innings.

From 109 after 19 overs, the Silverbacks finished on 134-2 off 20 overs, Davenport hitting three sixes and a four in a brutal final over as he finished on 33 not out.

In reply, Bowdon Vale never kept up with the required rate, with Wellings taking the important wickets of Gary Webb and Pete Thorpe to reduce the home side to 35-3.

Hanrahan then removed Sale old boy Steve Bottomley for 21 in a spell of 3-2.

Habershon then nipped in with two wickets before Stefan Peilober took the final wicket to wrap up a 45-run win.

Constant rain throughout the weekend meant all other senior games were cancelled without a ball being bowled, these being a double header against Bowdon on Saturday, the thirds' clash with Cheadle and the fourth XI match at Woodley on Sunday.

This week the first XI travel to Upton and the seconds host Timperley at Dane Road, while on Sunday, the third XI visit Hyde and the fourths host Bowdon thirds.