TOFT’S title credentials will be tested this Saturday when they visit Chester Boughton Hall, runners-up in the Cheshire County League’s top flight last season.

And the Knutsford outfit start the contest as Premier Division leaders following an eight-wicket defeat of Neston at Booth’s Park at the weekend – their seventh win in nine matches this term.

It leaves them eight points clear at the table’s summit.

Skipper Toby Drummond put the visitors in, a decision that appeared to be the right one when they reached 34-3.

Simon Stokes (58) then shared in a fourth-wicket partnership worth 62 runs before Pete Talbot (3-50) struck.

However fast bowler Jack Goode (6-62) did most of the damage during two seven-over spells as Neston closed on 189 all out.

Toft looked likely victors from the start of their innings, led by James Drummond (88no) – who had scored a century seven days earlier – with support from Rob Jones (49) and Henry Hughes (46no) in partnerships worth 98 and 74 runs respectively.

It capped a successful week after a 35-run success at Sale on Thursday in the Joseph Holt Brewery T20 Cup had secured a quarter-finals place.

Toby Drummond (83) and Goode (53) starred in a first-wicket stand as the visitors posted 191-4.

Sale fell short at 156-9, with Harri Dickenson (3-13) and Paul Ashley (3-16) taking three wickets each to help Toft progress at group winners.

Toft drew at Neston in the Second XI Premier Division, with spinners Nigel Muirhead (5-49) and Joe Stanley (3-26) combining to dismiss the home team for 179.

Chris Drummond (32) and Eddie Stubbs (27) then made the biggest individual contributions before the visitors ran out of time at 172-9.

A maiden century for Dan Lord (106) was a highlight for Toft thirds as they amassed 224-5 at home to their Marple counterparts on Sunday.

Chris Drummond (53) made it past 50.

The visitors secured a draw at 208-8, with Will Dunkerley (4-56) the pick of the attack.