TOFT proved their challenge to win the county league title is a credible one after matching Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday.

Needing 237 from 38 overs from a rain-affected Premier Division encounter, the Knutsford outfit fell only nine runs short following a remarkable batting effort.

James Drummond (47) and Rob Jones (84) put on 53 runs for the second wicket before the latter shared in a fourth-wicket partnership worth 112 with 16-year-old Sam Hatcher (56no off 50 balls).

Jones was then unlucky to be run out as Toft’s innings closed on 227-5 to earn a deserved draw.

Earlier, Chester had batted for 52 overs before declaring at 235-5.

Rick Moore (102no) contributed an unbeaten century, with Jones (2-95) the pick of Toft’s attack on an afternoon when batsmen on both teams delivered more than 450 runs between them.

Toft’s lead at the table’s summit is worth nine points ahead of lowly Marple’s visit this weekend.

Meanwhile the men from Booth’s Park have been paired with Neston in the Joseph Holt Brewery T20 quarter finals, on a date to be decided.

Toft seconds toppled leaders Chester in Saturday’s return game, winning by 81 runs.

Eddie Stubbs (114) made a timely return to form in the home team’s 283-7, supported by Dan Lord (76) and Chris Drummond (30).

Chester struggled to gather momentum in their reply, losing their final wicket in the 48th over with the score on 202.

Harri Dickinson (2-60) and captain Paul Ashley (2-35) both chipped in, but the damage was done was again by spinner Joe Stanley’s five-wicket haul.

It leaves Toft fourth in the table, 31 points adrift of first place, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Marple.