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Sale 1st XI feature in two epics this weekend

by Cricket World & Sale CC Monday 23 May 2022

josh patel took took 4 wickets for sale 1st xi.jpg

pat ahling in fine form with back to back 50s at the weekend.jpg

Sale 1st XI played two pulsating games over the weekend, coming out on top on Saturday, but exiting the Cheshire Cup on Sunday.

IS Recruitment sponsored Sale entertained promoted Congleton on Saturday in what turned out to be a low scoring affair in the Cheshire County League.

Electing to bat first Sale got off to their customary strong start thanks to 76 at the top of the order from stand in skipper Pat Ashling.

The fall of Ashling prompted a mid-order collapse as Sale slumped to 117-6.

Enter Grant Whittaker and Josh Patel, both promoted from the 2nd Xi and seemingly with a point to prove looked to repair the innings.

Patel with a patient 12 and Whittaker with a fluent 27 help Sale to 171 all out in the final over. Unlikely to be enough most weeks but something to bowl at.

In reply Congleton always seemed to be slightly ahead of the chase despite losing two early wickets to the returning Ali Barrowman.

Whilst Sale kept taking wickets at 133-6 the visitors were favourites. Fortunately for Sale Patel was equally keen to impress with the ball as he took 4-14 off 9 overs to swing the game once again.

With Congleton now battling for a draw, enter Whittaker who took the final wicket with his off-spin to claim the 25 points.

On Sunday Sale met premiership Bowdon in the cup. Once again Ashling led the way with 56 and returning skipper Tyrone Lawrence hit a run-a-ball 33. At 97-1 Sale looked like setting an imposing total.

However the middle order failed again leaving it to Sale’s own Frank Sinatra, Chris Canning, to hit 63 off just 38 deliveries on his latest comeback as Sale reached 213-8.

Bowdon seemed to be cruising thanks to 80 from Sid Madahaven and 62 from Ross Zelem, before the clatter of 4 wickets for 31 runs ensured the game went into the final over before Bowdon got over the line with 5 wickets to spare.

With a number of regulars missing or drafted into the 1st XI Sale 2nd XI suffered a miserable day at champions Didsbury. Sale were bowled out for 65 and lost by 8 wickets inside 56 overs.

Next Saturday the 1st XI visit Grappenhall and the 2nd XI host Nantwich.