Warrington fall to an agonising two-wicket defeat at Sale

The visitors were put into bat after losing the toss, but Malcolm Agar, 37, and Mike Rudd, 47, got them off to a solid start.

It was Brad McIntosh who once again anchored the innings as he finished unbeaten on 77, but was forced to watch on as the middle order collapsed around him.

Richard Heaney, 15, and James Rudd, 12 not out, were the only other Warrington batsmen to get into double figures as they reached 201-7 from their 50 overs.

The bowlers started superbly and had the hosts on the ropes at 59-5, with McIntosh and Aaron Soni doing most of the damage.

However, Sale's middle-order succeeded where Warrington's failed and rebuilt their innings.

Soni, 3-32, and McIntosh, 3-37, were the outstanding Warrington bowlers, but Sale reached their victory target with just one ball to spare.

The seconds fared much better as they earned a 44-run victory over their Stockport counterparts at Warrington Sports Club.

Skipper Simon Swain, 45, and fellow opener Brad Roden, 77, led the way as Warrington set their visitors a victory target of 212.

Ryan Swart then starred with the ball as he took 6-50 to help dismiss Stockport for 167, with able support from Paulo Manfredi, 2-24, and Roden, 1-25.

The thirds were also victorious as they beat Stretton's seconds by four wickets.

Having put their neighbours into bat, Billy Gilbert and Raj Soni did the early damage with two wickets each before Shashwat Rusia blitzed the middle order with 5-44.

Stretton were bowled out for 183 and Mark Ewing top-scored with 36 to steer Warrington home.

For the fourths, Mans Naseem's 3-23 helped to bowl Trafford Metrovics' seconds out for 123, but they still fell short of victory after being dismissed for 105.

The firsts open their T20 campaign at Widnes on Wednesday night and host Davenham on Saturday, when the thirds are also at home to Upton.

The seconds visit Davenham on Saturday and the fourths make the short trip to neighbours Appleton.