ALVANLEY battled hard at Sale, but another defeat left them rooted to the foot of Division One and staring relegation in the face.
They had a bad start at 14-2, but John Farmer and Nick Hawking led the rescue and built a strong foundation despite the frequent showers.
Farmer was bowled for 18 in the 28th over to end a stand of 63, which had been ground out against steady bowling on a track that lacked pace and did nothing to help batting.
Hawking took this as the catalyst to play some aggressive shots and accelerated to 54 before perishing to one forcing shot too many as he was caught at mid-on in the 35th over. Alvanley struggled to raise the tempo, closing at 115-8 with only Chris Fletcher (15) getting to double figures in the chaos.
James Rowlinson and Hawking took the new ball bowling very sensibly on a track which had no real life. Hawking picked up two splendid wickets in his first four overs without conceding a run. First to go was opener Millward, caught at mid-off by Mark Leadbetter for seven, and then Metcalfe was caught at second slip by Phil Jones without scoring.
Peter Pearce replaced Rowlinson after he had bowled six overs for 12 runs and removed opener Cutler with his second delivery, which was caught by Hawking at cover. Sale were 20-3 and it was game on.
Sale were 42- 6 off 20 overs and then 53-7, so their opening bowler Ali decided to attack the Alvanley bowlers and played some bold shots, which enabled Sale to gain some momentum.
With four overs remaining, Alvanley needed one wicket and Sale required 10 runs. Phil Jones conceded only one leg bye off his last two overs and finished with 4-17, so Sale needed six off the last over which Hawking had to bowl.
Two singles and a leg bye were scampered off the first four balls, but then the greasy ball slipped out of Hawking's hand and he was no-balled for a high full toss.
Sale secured victory with one ball to spare, which was a kick in the teeth for Alvanley who had performed so admirably.
The seconds restricted Sale to 161-7 with Peter French bowling 22 overs and taking 5-60.
Alvanley started brightly with opener Iolo Savill and Andy Booth both scoring 30, but from 80-3 they collapsed to 109ao against some steady bowling from Hopkins, who returned 5-30.
Malpas had to settle for a draw in their home match against Marple.
The visitors set a useful target after reaching 200-5, with Paul Bradley the most successful Malpas bowler with 2-30.
Malpas never really got going in reply and at the close were well short on 167-6, with Jonny Suckley (54) and Neil Smith (32) the top scorers.
The seconds made a feeble effort chasing Barrow's 236-7 (Dave Parry 5-70), being bowled out for 134. Ian Rees scored 39.
Cholmondeley put in a good all-round performance to beat Wirral by six wickets. The hosts were well placed at 115-3 off 30 overs until all-rounder Andy Latham came on to play a big part in restricting Wirral to 162ao off 42 overs. Ably backed up by some excellent fielding Latham finished with 5-27.
In reply, Cholmondeley, despite the loss of an early wicket, set about the opposition bowling with a fine array of strokes from Luke Heritage and Simon Gardiner, who scored 44 and 42 respectively.
Wirral bowled well and then tried to exert some pressure, but some powerful hitting from Monty Bettaney (26) and the elegant Ed Middleton (33no) saw Cholmondeley home with six overs to spare.
The seconds scored 129ao with evergreen Dave Harding top scoring with 35. In reply, Wirral appeared to be coasting at 60-2 until Peter Heaton, in his second spell, lifted the home team with four wickets. He was well supported by the promising Danny Morris with two wickets and leading wicket taker Steve Young, who took one to take his season's tally to 41.
Wirral finished on 118-8, giving Cholmondeley a winning draw.
In reply to hosts Offerton's 187-6 dec, Barrow responded with 184-9 to force a draw.
