ALVANLEY had to settle for a draw against Sale, newly-relegated from the Murray Smith County League, on the opening day of the Meller Braggins Cricket League Division One campaign.
New captain Glen Pickersgill invited the visitors to bat and they made good progress, despite a tight opening spell from James Rawlinson.
Opening batsman Allum was severe on any wayward delivery and he quickly reached 63.
But his departure with the total on 101 in the 23rd over saw Sale lose their momentum in the face of Mark Leadbetter's second spell, in which he took 4-31 off 12 overs.
Australian Nick Hawking bowled 18 consecutive overs, picking up three wickets as he sampled English conditions for the first time.
Alvanley's keeper Chris Fletcher bagged three stumpings and a catch as Sale closed on 190-7 - 40 runs lower than they looked like achieving after their initial run charge.
But after tea, Alvanley struggled as the Sale bowling attack used the lack of pace in the pitch to full advantage, restricting the home side to just 15 runs off the first 10 overs.
As the hosts tried to accelerate, they lost wickets and were in trouble at 80-7 after 30 overs with only Andy Booth, who scored 20, making any impression in the scorebook.
With victory an impossibility, Alvanley played out the remaining 15 overs to secure the draw, closing at 117-8.
Chris Fletcher was left unbeaten on 20, which included two contemptuous sixes.
The 2nds at Sale followed virtually the same pattern and Alvanley had to be content with the draw after failing to get near the target set.
