TOFT continued a pursuit of rivals setting the pace in the Cheshire County League’s top-flight when they won by 127 runs at Grappenhall on Saturday.

They remain unbeaten, and sit third in the Premier Division after recording a victory in three of their four games.

However it was not all straightforward and they were reduced to 39-3 before Henry Hughes (51) and James Drummond (56) added 76 runs for the fourth wicket.

The former put on a further 52 with Sam Hatcher (38) and, despite Aussie spinner Owen Lynch taking 5-28, the Knutsford outfit’s innings closed on 231 all out.

Grappers never looked likely winners after slipping to 57-6 following fine opening spells from seam duo Tom Forster (4-28) and Drummond (2-33).

Toft old boy Adam Green (20) was defiant, but the introduction of spinners Rob Jones (2-5) and Jimmy Lomas (2-8) ended the home team’s hopes of a draw as they succumbed for 104.

Eddie Stubbs was a star turn for the seconds, scoring a century in successive matches.

They thrashed their Northwich counterparts by 160 runs in a T20 game, racking up a huge 221-2 with Stubbs (124no off 60 balls) and Joe Gates (46) in ruthless form.

They dismissed their guests for 63, chairman Nigel Muirhead leading the way with 5-14.

Toft had to work harder on Saturday after Tattenhall posted 245-7, Dan Gibbon and James Hodgson taking two wickets each.

However Stubbs (120no off 97 balls) was not to be denied, and the men from Booth’s Park raced to 247-1 with Gates (96) again providing support.