TOFT were prevented by the weather from recording another victory on Saturday, but their title rivals could not take advantage.

Chasing a target of 271 to beat Alderley Edge, the Cheshire County League leaders raced to 152-1 off 34 overs before the contest was abandoned.

James Drummond (86) and Jake Hancock (46no) put on 125 runs for the first wicket before a premature close to the innings with a further 119 needed from 21 overs.

Earlier, in-form Calum Rowe (146no) led Alderley to 270-5 after they were put in.

Matt Cornes (2-23) took wickets with consecutive deliveries before Rowe added 54 for the third wicket with captain Adam Worrall (54).

The Knutsford outfit remain top of the Premier Division, 22 points better off than Chester Boughton Hall who escaped almost certain defeat at home to Macclesfield when rain took 21 overs from their post-tea reply.

In midweek, Toft secured a semi-finals place in the Joseph Holt Brewery T20 following a five-wicket win at Neston.

Jack Goode took 3-28 in the hosts’ 132-7 after they had won the toss before Hancock (56no) took charge of the visitors’ successful reply.

They will face Division One side Urmston on finals day later this month after reaching their target with three balls to spare.

Toft’s seconds were left frustrated by Alderley Edge’s tail-enders when they drew at Booth’s Park.

Nigel Muirhead (3-32), Joe Stanley (3-40) and Dave Ashley (2-9) all took wickets, but their guests hung on for a draw at 119-9 in reply to the home team’s 224-7.

Opening pair Chris Drummond (73) and Dave Blackburn (39) had set Toft on their way.

A half-century from Daniel Lord (55) was the highlight of Toft thirds’ innings against their Hyde counterparts on Sunday.

They posted 164-6 after winning the toss, a total passed later by their opponents for the loss of only four wickets.