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Sale 2nd XI continued their good start to the season with a convincing 62 run victory at Bredbury St. Marks. Asked to bat on a wet & green wicket Malik (17) made a confident start. However, tight bowling from Bredbury skipper Mountford pegged back the Sale top order, reducing them to 50-4.
A 30 run partnership between Almond & O'Donnell started the Sale fight back. Almond was caught for 28 attempting another boundary off Foley. Fortunately for Sale O'Donnell then took control, hitting the boundary at regular intervals. When he eventually went for 45 the Bredbury attack was on the retreat.
Stoddard (25) and Moore (37 not out) then added 55 for 9th wicket, indicating the depth of Sale's batting, pushing the score up to 192-9.
Rain at tea threatened to dampen Sale's chances. However once play restarted Sale wasted no time, taking 3 early wickets. At 15-3 it was then just a question of whether Sale would get the last 7 wicket before the rain returned.
Moore, who took a wicket with his first ball, was the pick of the Sale attack. His long spell kept the pressure on for Sale, eventually finishing with 4-35.
Briggs then started rotating the Sale attack to find the final breakthrough. In a real team effort Briggs, McKenzie and Almond all chipped in with wickets. This was supported with some excellent catching in the failing light from Whitelegg, McKenzie & Hopkins.
The stubborn Green (30) was the last to fall with the score on 130. Sale secured a 24 point victory to consolidate their early season position at the top of division two.
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