Grappenhall 146-2 Toft 142-7

TOFT beat the rain on Saturday, but slipped up against Grappenhall in the Vivio Cheshire County League’s Premier Division.

Following a delayed start, a reduced 37 overs-per-side game commenced with the hosts winning the toss and choosing to bowl.

Toft’s openers struggled in the cloudy conditions and wickets fell quickly to leave the visitors rocking on 6-2 before Rob Jones (30) and Henry Hughes (49) gave the lower order a platform to build a defendable total.

The Knutsford outfit’s innings closed at 142-7 with only captain Toby Drummond (18) and Adam Green, unbeaten on 11, making double figures after Hughes and Jones had been dismissed.

Grappenhall attacked from the start on a drying pitch with opener Adam Roylance (33) and James McCoy (89) quickly putting the result beyond doubt.

Jones took two wickets at a cost of 33 runs, supported by an efficient four overs from Asif Saleem, but Grappers eased past Toft’s total in the 26th over as they finished on 146-2 to secure an eight-wicket win.

Toft’s second team fixture with Grappenhall was rained off without a ball being bowled in the Second XI Premier Division, where all games fell to the weather.

On Sunday, the thirds tied with bottom-placed Bramhall in the Third XI Sunday Premier Division after both sides finished on 190.

Requiring a single run to secure victory, Toft lost three wickets without scoring including Henri Dickinson after a fabulous 94.

Meanwhile Toft have been paired with Premier Division rivals Marple in the draw for Cheshire Cup’s last 16. The tie will take place at Booth’s Park this Sunday.

Before that, the club plays host to Cheshire over 50s for a match against their Nottinghamshire counterparts today Wednesday, from 1.30pm.