ROB Sehmi’s third century of the campaign for Toft proved in vain as their hopes of winning the Cheshire County League title ended last weekend.

He shared in a partnership for the third wicket worth 151 runs with Henry Hughes (80) as the Knutsford outfit posted a huge 285-7 after being put in by Chester Boughton Hall at Booth’s Park.

Sehmi found the boundary a dozen times on his way to 100 before Ed Stubbs (47 off 40 balls) continued to score quickly.

The wicket-keeper now has more than 800 runs to his name this season at an average of 57.51.

Harry Killoran (3-54) and Jack Williams (3-65) were the pick of their Premier Division rivals’ bowlers.

Chester reached their target with three overs to spare, led by Cheshire captain Rick Moore (128no) who added 164 runs for the second wicket with Jamie Crawley (74).

Skipper Jimmy Lomas used six bowlers in bid to disrupt the visitors’ momentum and three of those – Tom Forster (1-91), Will Dunkerley (1-48) and Max Nightingale (1-3) – shared the wickets to fall.

Chester closed on 286-3, leaving them 14 points adrift of leaders Nantwich with a fortnight of the campaign remaining.

Toft slip to fifth.

They travel to Grappenhall, hosts in desperate need of points if they are to avoid relegation, on Saturday, from 11.30am.

Chester’s seconds were too strong for their Toft counterparts when they met last weekend.

The visitors were grateful to Ewan Williams (58), who passed 50 for the fourth time this year, for boosting a low total as they were dismissed for 127.

He is closing in on 850 runs for the summer, and is the leading-scorer at the club.

Opener Dilruk Yahathugoda (80no) and Reg Wyatt (32no) then steered the home team to victory inside 20 overs at 128-2.

Jonah Wasilewski (1-19) and James Hodgson (1-32) took the wickets to fall.

Toft are third in the table with two games left, the first of those at home to Grappenhall on Saturday, from midday.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 20

Saturday, September 1

ECB Premier Division: Bramhall 107 Nantwich 111-1; Didsbury 151 Cheadle 155-5; Marple 244-9 Timperley 247-6; Neston 227-3 Grappenhall 224-8; Oulton Park 255-8 Alderley Edge 219; Toft 285-7 Chester Boughton Hall 286-3

Second XI, Premier Division: Alderley Edge 176-6 Oulton Park 175; Chester Boughton Hall 128-2 Toft 127; Grappenhall 119 Neston 255-2; Macclesfield 134 Didsbury 136-2; Nantwich 81-0 Hyde 78; Timperley 116 Marple 117-1