TOFT slipped into the Cheshire County League top flight’s bottom half following a seven-wicket defeat at title-chasing Hyde on Saturday.

The Knutsford outfit have not won now in their past six Premier Division fixtures, a sequence dating back to June.

After being put in at the weekend, they totalled 204-8.

They struggled throughout to build partnerships, restricted initially by strike pair Jason Whittaker (3-26) and Bill Walker (2-65).

Rob Jones scored 41 on his return before James Drummond (50no) and Andrew Jackson (33 off 16 balls) – who struck two fours and three maximums – later added 49 runs for the sixth wicket.

Hyde assumed control from the start of their reply, during which openers Harry Dearden (55) and Tom Partridge (46) put on 82.

David Fitzsimmons (50no) and Ryan Waterhouse (31) later added 66 for the third wicket as the hosts cruised to their target for the loss of only three wickets.

Pete Talbot took 2-45.

Toby Drummond’s men will be keen to arrest their slide when they host Bowdon at Booth’s Park this Saturday.

Toft’s seconds fared better in the return fixture against Hyde.

Jonathan Leggett (2-35) was the pick of the home team’s attack early on, when their guests initially struggled to 114-6.

Martin Coyne (57) and Charlie Hewitt (28no) led a rally, putting on 47 runs before Chris Sheldon (2-23) dismissed the former.

Skipper Paul Ashley later claimed a brace of wickets, without conceding a run, as Hyde closed on 197 all out.

Toft were comfortable during a successful chase, which featured a partnership worth 117 runs for the second wicket between Chris Drummond (77no) and a swift-scoring Ashley (80 off 66 balls).

They occupy sixth place in the table ahead of a trip to Didsbury this weekend.

Toft’s thirds continue to struggle, evidenced by an eight-wicket humbling by their Grappenhall counterparts on Sunday.

The men from Booth’s Park collapsed to 93 all out off 36 overs, during which only Will Dunkerley (24) offered meaningful resistance.

A total of three other batsmen posted a double-digit score, while Josh Hayes returned figures of 4-12.

The Warrington side needed only 19 overs to secure victory, led by opener Dave Tully (56no).

Richard Scott took both wickets to fall.

It leaves Toft propping up the Premier Division table, 72 points adrift of a position of safety.