TOFT could not take the final wicket they needed to beat Grappenhall last weekend and have now not won any of their past five matches.

Jimmy Lomas’ men still pocketed 15 points, and are tied with out-of-sorts Oulton Park for third place in the Cheshire County League’s Premier Division table.

They complete the first-half of their season at home to Neston on Saturday, from 12.30pm.

The Knutsford outfit were dismissed for 226 after being put in against Grappers, an innings that included a partnership for the third wicket worth 65 runs between Henry Hughes (49) and wicket-keeper Rob Sehmi (75).

However Toft will be disappointed to have lost their final six wickets for 34 runs after Sam Guest (3-48) and Rakshith Rao (3-53) turned the tide.

Grappenhall closed on 217-9 after batting for 59 overs, with Matt Cornes (3-60) and James Scott (3-21) enjoying most success.

Lomas tried seven bowlers in a bid to settle the outcome, but the visitors’ last-wicket pair resisted for a draw.

Toft’s seconds suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the reverse fixture after they succumbed for 124.

Ewan Williams, with 42, was easily the pick of their batsmen while Ross Arrowsmith took 6-24.

An early breakthrough by Will Dunkerley (2-31) gave Toft hope before William Fell (62no) and Jack Critchley (52no) took their opponents to their target.

Toft visit Neston on Saturday, from 1pm.

The third team celebrated a seven-wicket success at home to neighbours Ashley on Sunday.

The visitors to Booth’s Park scored 150-9 with wickets shared between Joseph Wasilewski (2-24), Josh Wyatt (2-20), Richard Scott (2-22) and Daniel Gibbon (2-21).

Toft made it to 155-5 in the 22nd over led by Scott Craig (46).

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 10

Saturday, June 23

ECB Premier Division: Bramhall 102 Timperley 250-8; Didsbury 189 Nantwich 222; Marple 239-4 Chester Boughton Hall 237-2 dec; Neston 141 Alderley Edge 144-1; Oulton Park 300-5 Cheadle 301-4; Toft 226 Grappenhall 217-9

Second XI, Premier Division: Alderley Edge 184 Neston 3rd 250-3; Chester Boughton Hall 194-6 Marple 190; Grappenhall 128-3 Toft 124; Macclesfield 247-7 Oulton Park 248-6; Nantwich 118-7 Didsbury 114; Timperley 177 Hyde 229-5.