The blanket rain across the North West that ended England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes at Emirates Old Trafford had a similar impact on local cricket over the weekend, with hardly a ball bowled across the region.

All of Sale Cricket Club’s fixtures were cancelled without a ball being bowled, derby matches for the first XI against mid-table Urmston and for the seconds at second-placed Brooklands were both called off in the morning.

On Sunday, Sale rued their luck as both the third XI, at Bramhall, and the fourth XI, at home to Stockport, were due to play the basement sides so missed out on likely wins.

The only cricket played in the week was the over-40s match last Wednesday between second-placed Davenham and third-placed Sale with a home draw in the quarter-finals on the line.

Visitors Davenham won an important toss and asked Sale to bat first. Opener Asad Kahn hit 31 retired off 23 balls and Dan Brown smashed 32 retired off just 19 balls.

However, tight bowling from the visitors in the middle overs meant Sale finished on 113-7, around 25 runs short of par.

In reply, Sale got off to a great start with miserly overs from Rob Moore and Ian Dixon, Moore removing Paul Parker for one.

Lionel Thompson then removed skipper Phil Sharples and an early wicket for Paul Hanrahan made it 33-3.

However, Davenham dug in and clawed back the rate to reach their target with four balls to spare, Tom Edwards hitting 32 retired and John O’Sullivan 30 retired.

On Saturday, Sale second XI host Didsbury at Dane Road and the firsts visit Bramhall. On Sunday, the third XI host Timperley.