Sale Cricket Club’s first XI stayed top of Division One of the Cheshire County League as heavy rain showers played havoc with fixtures across the county.

The first shower arrived shortly after Sale had started their innings at Stockport Georgians.

With regular openers Pat Ashling and James Dodds absent, Joe Molloy was promoted from the seconds and hit 18 at the top of the order.

Sale found it hard to build partnerships and soon found themselves in the precarious position of 104-6.

Harry Cann and George Walker then added 56 for the seventh wicket, Walker falling for 29.

Cann then marshalled the tail and was last man out for 42 as Sale posted 188.

With overs lost earlier in the day, the home side set about their chase with relish. Despite losing the dangerous Ben Staniforth for 12, Ned Bailey (88) and Simon Normanton (44) tore into the Sale attack.

Georgians had reached 152-2 off 19 overs and looked favourites before another downpour forced an early end to the game and saved Sale’s blushes.

The second XI saw visitors Lindow post 213-8 in 50 overs, Paolo Manfredi and Muneeb Iftikar both taking three wickets each.

Sale had reached 71-2 off 21 overs when the game was abandoned, Rob Grant on 20 not out.

The heavy rain also accounted for Sunday’s third XI clash at home to Stockport Georgians with the square waterlogged.

Sale fourths beat Cheadle Hulme in a rain-reduced game after bowling the home side out for 144, Arthur Takaki-Quayle taking 3-27 and Naman Mudaliar 2-5 and two catches.

Sale coasted home to their revised target of 116 for the loss of two wickets, Mudaliar hitting 53 not out and James Lewis 26.

Earlier in the week, Sale Silverbacks enjoyed a good win against leaders Grappenhall, who recovered from 12-3 to post 148-5 in 20 overs.

Sale got home at a canter with nine balls to spare, openers Ian Dixon (30) and Asad Khan (32) both retired and Dan Brown hitting a brutal 28 off just 13 balls.

On Saturday, Sale first XI host Lindow at Dane Road and the seconds travel to Oxton. On Sunday, the fourths host Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge and the third XI visit Toft.