A CENTURY by captain Andy Clarke secured for New Brighton a four-wicket win that ended Toft’s involvement in the Cheshire Cup at the last-eight stage.

He was unbeaten on 103 as the Liverpool and District Competition outfit successfully chased 171 to beat their hosts at Booth’s Park on Sunday.

James Drummond (3-48) was the pick of the Knutsford outfit’s bowlers.

They had posted a below-par 170-9 after winning the toss, and battled to recover from a slow start.

Joe Gates (24) and Sam Hatcher (21) rallied, and Drummond contributed 43, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Last-wicket pair Joe Stanley (22no) and Jimmy Lomas (10no) added 25 runs late on, while the visitors’ teenage pace-man Louis Botes took 4-23.

It completed a frustrating 24 hours for Toft after rain spoiled their trip to Neston for a Cheshire County League fixture the previous day.

Their hosts were restricted to a modest 145 all out, with Will Evans (50no) the only batsman to shine as Lomas took 5-49.

Toby Drummond’s men had 70 overs to reach their target, and got to 50-1 off 13 when a downpour started.

Henry Hughes (29no) and Rob Jones were denied a chance to continue though when the contest was abandoned.

The seconds were less concerned about a change in the weather after falling to 66-8 in the reverse fixture.

Spinners Nigel Muirhead (3-34) and James Hodgson (3-15) had restricted the visitors to 165-9 after winning the toss.

However only captain Paul Ashley (29no) batted with any conviction in reply as Mike Stewart took 5-23.

Toft’s thirds produced the club’s best result of the weekend when they won by six wickets at Warrington.

Richard Scott (4-31) and Wil Dunkerley (3-17) starred as the home team were knocked over for 157.

Ewan Williams (66) and Max Nightingale (51) then did the bulk of the work as the visitors closed on 160-4.