BY his high standards, Rob Jones had made a discrete start to a new season.

However that all changed at Cheadle last weekend when the Lancashire star amassed a stunning unbeaten century to lead Toft to a four-wicket win in the Cheshire County League’s top-flight.

He struck 14 fours and two maximums, scoring at a run a ball, to take the Knutsford outfit to their target with plenty to spare.

After his 113, opener James Drummond (27) was the next highest-scorer for the visitors as their innings closed on 194-6.

A fourth victory of the campaign in the ECB Premier Division means they lead a chasing pack behind early pacesetters Timperley.

Jimmy Lomas asked the home team to bat on Saturday after winning the toss, a decision that brought instant dividend when Andrew Jackson (2-30) broke through early.

Ryan O’Brien (59) and Elliott Bullock (28) rallied before Jones (4-42) trapped the latter LBW to claim the first of his four victims.

Lomas (2-39) then tempted O’Brien into a shot that saw him stumped by Ewan Williams, and the next five wickets fell for just 38 runs as Cheadle posted 192-9.

Josh Dooler (4-35) kept alive the home team’s hopes, but none of the six bowlers deployed by captain Greg Dixon could find a way to oust Jones in rampant form.

Toft visit Nantwich on Saturday.

Meanwhile their hopes of making progress in the Joseph Holt Brewery T20 were hit last Thursday when they lost by 28 runs at lower-ranked Lindow.

Youngster Max Nightingale (5-25) announced his arrival as a senior with a fine bowling display as the home team scored 165-8 after winning the toss.

It proved too big a target for Toft, who replied with 137-9.

They had been 47-4 before James Scott (26 off 18 balls) struck a flurry of fours.

However his departure further dented the Knutsford side’s hopes of recording a second victory in Group Eight.

They must now beat Bramhall at Booth’s Park on Tuesday.

Toft’s seconds were too good for their Macclesfield counterparts last weekend, easing to a seven-wicket win.

Scott Craig (115no) was their star turn, his unbeaten ton turning the contest their way as they successfully chased 197 to win.

Opener Tom Maddocks (44) contributed earlier too.

Macc had tallied 196-9 after being put in, and the dismissals of Craig Melrose (47) and Ishan Jain (41) proved crucial after they had put on 49 runs for the fourth wicket.

Tail-ender Barney Cutbill (32no) weighed in later, while Matt Cornes (2-37), Joe Stanley (2-52) and James Hodgson (3-52) shared the wickets to fall.