BRAMHALL’S last-wicket pair thwarted Toft’s bowlers during a high-scoring Cheshire County League encounter last weekend.

A draw leaves the Knutsford outfit fourth in the Premier Division table ahead of a meeting with Nantwich on Saturday.

The Dabbers are unbeaten in two months and sit one place, and only four points, ahead of Toby Drummond’s men.

Toft ran up 238 after winning the toss, an innings boosted by a 74-run partnership for the second wicket between wicket-keeper Rob Sehmi (78) and Rob Jones (24).

Andrew Jackson (50) later added a further 67 for the seventh in tandem with Jimmy Lomas (16).

Bramhall reached 220-9 in a spirited reply, led by Lancastrian Danny Lamb (69) and Adam Wilde (40).

Jones, fresh from 12th man duties for England during a test match against South Africa at Old Trafford, took 4-56.

Fellow slow-bowler Lomas also weighed in with 3-40.

Defeats for leaders Chester Boughton Hall and champions Alderley Edge, against Timperley and Bowdon respectively, leaves the leading four teams separated by 34 points with five games left to play.

Toft’s seconds remain on course to claim the Premier Division title following a comfortable six-wicket success at their Macclesfield counterparts.

They restricted the hosts to 125 all out, with in-form Pete Talbot (4-31) enjoying support from Will Dunkerley (2-15) and skipper Paul Ashley (2-20).

The visitors bettered that score in 26 overs, led by Andrew Bones (65no), and have a 28-point lead over second-placed Nantwich.

Those teams meet at Booth’s Park on Saturday, from 1pm.

Toft’s third eased to a nine-wicket win against their Northwich counterparts on Sunday, when they dimissed the visitors for 106.

Left-arm seamer Dan Gibbon produced the performance of the weekend, taking 6-18.

His teammates cruised to victory inside 20 overs, with Ewan Williams (67no) and Max Nightingale (27no) leading the way.