Sale 3rd XI were crowned champions of Cheshire on Sunday, following a comprehensive 8 wicket win at Bramhall. Sale wrapped up the Vivio Cheshire County League Sunday premier division title with a game to spare.
In a remarkable turnaround from last season Search Sponsored Sale led the top division for much of the season after being relegated on the final day of last season, only to be reprieved after third bottom Stockport requested demotion.
Sale showed no sign of nerves, wrapping up a rapid win over struggling Bramhall. Shah Zeb struck the first over, with fellow opener Ali Rizvi soon getting into the act with a wicket in his second over to put the home team on the back foot.
Rizvi and Shah quickly worked their way through the top order reducing Bramhall to 18-6, Rizvi finishing with 4-31 and Zeb with 2-11.
Bramhall rallied somewhat to reach 61, before Dan Newton mopped up the tail with 3-2.
Sale made short order of the reply, knocking off the runs inside 13 overs. Young openers Mo Rizvi and Viraj Sorathia added 49 for the first wicket before Sorathia fell for 11.
Rizvi then saw Sale through to their target for the loss of one more wicket, finishing unbeaten on 38.
Sale’s 11th victory of the season meant that second placed Didsbury can no longer overhaul their points total, confirming Sale’s first ever premier league title.
Above 3rd XI team v Bramhall (back L-R): Soans Praveen, Shah Zeb, Ali Rizvi, Owais Khan, Linesh Sorathia (scorer), Kashif Baig, Dan Newton, Rory Woodward, Sam Battersby; (front L-R): Viraj Sorathia, Abas Rizvi (captain), Mohammed Rizvi
