CALDY rounded off a satisfactory season by lifting the Cheshire Cup at the expense of Sale at Birkenhead's Upper Park last Saturday.

It was sweet revenge for the local side which lost in the last stage against the same opponents in 2014.

It did not look good for Caldy at the half way mark but a golden three try spell midway through the second period put them in the driving seat and they eventualy prevailed 28-18.

Caldy had wind advantage for the first period on a raw, wet and windy afternoon but had to settle for a trio of penalties via the boot of Gavin Roberts.

Sale scored a fine running try after just four minutes. The conversion was successful and they also struck a brace of penalties to lead 13-9.

A Sale penalty miss soon after the break was pivotal. Caldy stepped up the pace for a well worked try by Ben Eaves converted by Roberts on 53 minutes to lead for the first time.

Five minutes later after a Caldy kick and chase Sale failed to control the ball and it was Nick Royle who nicked in for the second try which took it to 21-13.

Forward pressure on 63 minutes brought a score for John Weir with Roberts adding the extras and really it was all over.

Sale rallied for their second try from good work by the pack but it was too little too late for the East Cheshire outfit.

The County Championship programme gets under way this Saturday and some of the Caldy players will be in the home squad.

The first game for Cheshire is against the old enemy Lancashire at Chester with a 3pm kick-off.

Cheshire are then due to take on Yorkshire at Doncaster on May 16 and conclude their group stage against Durham at Mowden Park on May 23.

If they do well enough to progress they will figure at Twickenham at the end of the month.