SALE held on for a draw at home to Macclesfield in Division One of the Cheshire County Cricket League.

The former Premier League team were looking favourites for the win before a stubborn rearguard action secured the draw for the hosts.

Sale asked Macclesfield to bat first but the visitors enjoyed the surface at Dane Road, declaring on 240-5 in 46 overs, Thomas Tudor leading the way with 94.

Jeremy McFarlane was the pick of the Sale bowling attack with 2-53, and credit also goes to young fast bowler Mal Clarke for an economical 1-31 off his nine overs.

After losing an early wicket in the reply, Greg Gyves and Mat Spells added 55 before Spells was caught for 19. Gyves batted with fluency, before falling for 54 off just 52 balls.

The home side continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, slumping to 148-8.

McFarlane and Rich Adams then added 55 for the ninth wicket to secure maximum batting points and use up vital overs. When Adams finally went for 17, Clarke then held out to secure the draw with McFarlane who finished unbeaten on 81.

Sale’s second XI remain in the promotion places after continuing their winning run at Cheadle Hulme.

The home side struggled after being put in, and were bowled out for 134 in the 44th over.

Siyan Siraj with 4-23 and Grant Whittaker with 4-34 did the damage.

Sale made short work of the reply, reaching their target in the 36th over, after Dan Newton had got the innings off to a flying start with a brisk 32.

Siraj (23) and Whittaker (26 not out) then added runs to their earlier wickets as Sale coasted home for the loss of five wickets.

The thirds lost at Alderley Edge, but remain top of the Sunday Premier Division.

Viraj Sorathia top-scored with 64 as Sale posted 185-9.

The home team then reached their target with five wickets down.

An old-fashioned rear guard action secured a draw for the fourth team at Lindow, with final pair Issac Brooks (13 not out) and Joe Wicks (20no) surviving 18 overs.

Earlier in the day Lindow had reached 131-7, before Sale closed on 86-9.