TOFT’S bowlers set up a victory that took them one step closer to securing their Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Division status.

Timperley were beaten at Booths Park to leave the Knutsford outfit 55 points clear of the relegation zone with just three games of the season left.

The decision by skipper Jimmy Lomas to field proved an inspired one as the attack soon rewarded him with wickets.

Will Dunkerley’s good form with the ball continued as he claimed four wickets while Tom Forster took 3-34 to reduce Timperley to 67-7.

A lower-order partnership held up the Toft charge, but Lomas brought himself and James Scott on and they proceeded to clean up the tail to dismiss their visitors for just 107.

Forster fell early in the run chase but James Drummond and Robert Sehmi put the hosts firmly in control with a partnership of 65 for the second wicket.

Both batsmen fell in quick succession – Drummond for 41 and Sehmi for 27 – but Jackson’s quickfire 21 saw Toft to a convincing victory.

The seconds almost bowled their way to a remarkable win at Upton after their batsmen had collapsed to 83 all out having been 71-2.

Nigel Muirhead and Najeeb Rauwfi took three wickets each to set the hosts’ nerves on edge, but they reached their target with three wickets in hand.

A young third side showed great heart to draw with Grappenhall, with Archie Close’s mature 27 helping them to 193-9 in pursuit of 304 for victory.