Toft 189-1 Urmston 185

TOFT reached the summit in the Vivio Cheshire County League’s top flight for the first time following a nine-wicket defeat of Urmston at the weekend.

Toby Drummond’s men have now won three of their past four matches in the Premier Division, swapping places with previous leaders Hyde after they were held to a fourth successive draw.

The Knutsford outfit’s star turn was teenage opener James Drummond, Toby’s son, who reached a century with a boundary four to clinch a merited victory for his side.

The 17-year-old shared in an opening partnership worth 116 with Jake Hancock (48) before the Australian was run out after a mix-up.

Rob Jones (30no) was at the crease with Drummond (100no) when the latter struck the winning runs for Toft with 15 overs to spare.

Earlier, the visitors to Booth’s Park had chosen to bat after winning the toss.

They were quickly in trouble, losing overseas player Adam Turrell when he flicked Matt Cornes delivery to Andy Jackson at mid-wicket.

Calum Turner (44) and Lewis Jackson (34) put on 73 runs for the second wicket, but only Sumit Panda (67) got to grips with the accuracy of 18-year-old Jack Goode (3-22).

Left-arm spinner Jimmy Lomas (3-58) provided support as Urmston were eventually dismissed for 185.

Toft exited the Red Insure T20 Trophy at the quarter finals stage following a 70-run reverse at Chester Boughton Hall on Thursday.

The home team amassed 227-3, with Lee Dixon (83no) and Mark Rowland (79) their leading scorers.

Toft were knocked over for 137 thanks to spin pair Harry Killoran (3-12) and Jack Williams (3-29), plus three fine catches in the outfield.

Atif Bajwa (37), Jake Dickinson (32no) and Toby Hughes (29) made the biggest individual contributions for the visitors.

Toft seconds maintained a 56-point lead in the county league’s second XI Premier Division despite suffering a first loss of the season.

Ed Stubbs made 66 on his return, while knocks from David Blackburn (44) and Jake Dickinson (37) helped Toft reach 238-9 after they were asked to bat first.

Opponents Urmston reached their target with five wickets to spare, Toft chairman Nigel Muirhead returning figures of three for 85.