TOFT returned to the county league summit after getting their title charge back on track by beating Bramhall on Saturday.

Set a target of scoring 170 off 40 overs in a rain-affected encounter, they started swiftly thanks to a first-wicket partnership worth 43 between Jake Hancock (65no) and James Drummond.

The Australian then added 85 with Rob Jones (66 off 58 balls) to take the Knutsford outfit to within sight of a victory, which was secured in the 35th over with six wickets to spare.

Earlier, the home team had posted 169-9 after losing the toss.

A promising start lost momentum when Matthew Cornes (2-30) dismissed opener Atiq uz-Zaman (28), then Drummond trapped Lancashire’s Danny Lamb LBW for a duck.

Ex-Toft man Rupert Kitzinger (28) led a late rally when putting on 40 for the ninth wicket with Sam Johnson.

Jones took 3-60, while Jimmy Lomas weighed in with 2-18.

A maximum points haul leaves Toft a single point clear of Nantwich, who thrashed lowly Marple.

Macclesfield visit Booth’s Park this Saturday, from 12.30pm, before Toby Drummond’s men visit New Brighton the following afternoon for a Cheshire Cup quarter final.

Toft seconds reached 70 without loss, led by captain David Blackburn (45no), before a heavy downpour forced the abandonment of their home encounter with Bramhall.

Joe Regan made his debut as skipper of the thirds in a 43-run reverse at their Bramhall counterparts on Sunday.

The home team racked up 221-6 before declaring, with Will Dunkerley and Issac Wasilewski claiming a brace of wickets each.

Toft’s reply then ended at 178 all out, Regan leading the way with a half-century.