FOLLOWING another week of heavy rain the grounds team at Sale must take the credit for ensuring Saturday’s match against high-flying Didsbury took place as the club opened the doors on its new £1.4m community facility for the first time.

The game, reduced to the minimum 60 overs in the Cheshire County League, finished in a draw as ball dominated bat.

Sale won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat first on a wet wicket.

Isaac Brooks was the leading bowler for Sale, fresh from his call-up to England North Under-15s, as he took 4-36 with his left-arm spin.

He was well supported by Rich Adams with 3-25 as Didsbury posted 122-8 in 30 overs.

Ben Watkin got Sale off to a good start, hitting 43 in even time, before the introduction of spinner Steven Green turned the game in favour of Didsbury.

Watkin was one of Green’s four victims as he got sharp turn on the wet wicket, leaving Sale to bat out at 104-9 with seven points already secured due to the delayed start.

Sale's second XI got the worst of similar conditions at Warrington as they were bowled out for 79 after losing the toss, Viraj Sorathia top scoring with 24.

They nearly pulled off an unlikely victory as skipper Gareth Watterson took 5-43 as the home side limped home for the loss of eight wickets.

The thirds kept the pressure on at the top of the Sunday Premier Division with a comfortable win against Marple.

Sale posted 192-6 in 40 overs, in an innings dominated by opener Sorathia who hit 107 not out.

They made short work of the second innings, bowling out the visitors for 112 in the 26th over.

The fourth XI lost by 68 runs at Macclesfield. Joe Wicks took six wickets and Gabe Smith three as the home side were bowled out for 167.

In reply, Sale could only reach 99, Vaasu Goyal top scoring with 27.

On Saturday, the first XI travel to Davenham and the seconds host Heaton Mersey at Dane Road, while on Sunday the thirds host Toft and the fourth XI make the short trip to Ashton-on-Mersey.