TOFT remain in a race to win the Cheshire County League title after a draw with fellow-hopefuls Timperley.

And the Knutsford outfit meet a contender for the Premier Division prize for a third successive Saturday when they host second-placed Chester Boughton Hall this weekend, from 11.30am.

They start that contest 33 points adrift of leaders Nantwich with three games left.

Captain Jimmy Lomas continues to lead from the front, and scored 96 again – this time with his wicket intact – when they chased 198 to beat Timperley.

However his side closed short on 191-8 in a rain-interrupted encounter at Stockport Road.

Tom Forster contributed 22, while Andrew Jackson (18) and Mark Leathley (16) were the only other batsmen to reach double-figures.

Their hosts’ innings received a boost when Brooke Guest (50) and Nathan Olivier (45) added 89 together after arriving at the crease with the score on 34-3.

Leathley (3-18) was the most productive of Toft’s bowlers, while Forster took 2-23.

Toft’s seconds had the better of their Timperley counterparts at Booth’s Park, recording a two-wicket win.

They bowled out the visitors for 147, with James Hodgson (4-26) and Gohar Rashid (3-14) leading the way together.

Tom Maddocks (37) set the home team on a course for victory before Mark Nightingale (41no off 34 balls) accelerated them to their target at 151-8.

They play the return at Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday, from midday.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 19

Sunday, August 26

ECB Premier Division: Bramhall v Alderley Edge (match cancelled).

Saturday, August 25

ECB Premier Division: Alderley Edge 188-5 Didsbury 170-9; Cheadle 206-5 Bramhall 199; Chester Boughton Hall 260-6 dec Grappenhall 100; Nantwich 95-3 Marple 89; Oulton Park 105 Neston 107-3; Timperley 197-8 Toft 191-8

Second XI, Premier Division: Didsbury 129 Alderley Edge 329-7; Grappenhall 164 Chester Boughton Hall 184-6; Hyde 256-7 dec Macclesfield 88; Marple 181-7 Nantwich 242-3; Neston 98-3 Oulton Park 94; Toft 151-8 Timperley 147