TOFT were left to rue a middle-order collapse in defeat to neighbours Alderley Edge on Saturday.

Chasing 217 for what would have been a second straight win, the hosts appeared well set at 114-3 but ended up falling to a 36-run defeat.

After being asked to bowl first having lost the toss, Tom Forster and James Scott took early scalps for Toft but Edge rebuilt thanks to Sam Perry and Ed Fluck’s partnership of 123 for the third wicket.

However, after the spin bowling of Joe Stanley and James Lomas built pressure, James Hodgson came on to remove both batsmen – Perry for 78 and Fluck for 70.

They were the only Edge batsmen to reach double figures in a final total of 216-7 as Hodgson finished with figures of 5-51, but Toft gave away 36 extras.

Alderley had the perfect start with the ball as Chris Sanders clean bowled Toft opener Ewan Williams, but Daniel Lord and Rob Semhi rebuilt for the hosts by putting on a second-wicket partnership of 76.

Both were dismissed in quick succession – Lord for 45 and Semhi for 42 – and Alderley ran through the middle order to close in on victory.

Charlie Reid ended up with four wickets for the visitors and despite a quickfire 26 from Scott, Toft were eventually bowled out for 180.

They have two chances to bounce back at the weekend as they have a double header of fixtures – they travel to Cheadle on Saturday before a Cheshire Cup trip to Lindow on Sunday.

A strong seconds side travelled to Neston and reached 201-6 from their 45 overs batting first before four wickets from Adam Kenyon helped bowl their hosts out for 140 in response to secure a 61-run win. They host Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday.

The thirds lost a close game at Sale, with the hosts reaching their victory target of 161 with just two balls to spare.

The under 19s were beaten by their Alderley Edge counterparts despite battling hard in the field to defend their score of 106-3, but Edge won with five balls left.