The Toft fourths turned up at Mere to face High Legh, buoyed by a fine Sunday victory at Runcorn, a fixture which included some fine individual performances. That win, like so many before it, was dependant on one thing. Chasing rather than batting first…..

For that reason, stand-in skipper Andrew Jackson cut a forlorn figure as he trudged back to the pavillion after losing the toss and being inserted by the High Legh captain. On a more positive note, another game, and another new addition to the fourths. This time round it was Lowit Gowdra who opened the batting with Jackson, looking for a fast start. That didn’t materialise, as the High Legh bowling unit was well drilled, accurate, and downright annoying. Gowdra attempted to play his shots, but foundered for 16 caught at slip. The bowling attack was first class, making free flowing scoring extremely difficult.

Next in was part-time DJ Steve Barlow. He is used to picking his tracks, but he wouldn’t have picked this one, as the grassy top meant the ball zipped around on a muggy evening in Cheshire. He couldn’t get a tune out of seam or spin, and perished for 6.

Simon Donald joined his captain the in the middle, and played with a positive mindset, looking to get on the front foot at any opportunity. Donald has history of runs at this venue, and set about repeating the feat this time round, as Toft were stalling at 40/1 off 11 overs. Jackson finally faltered for 18, and was swiftly followed by the returning Phil Raffo & James Mckenna, who was run out following an appalling mix-up with Donald.

A sense of deja-vu washed over injured skipper Phil Berry, who appeared in the clubhouse to offer moral support. But his knee brace was more supportive than Donald’s partners, who came and went, leaving Donald casting a scornful look from the non-strikers end. James McNamara, Pete Taylor & Pete Gibbon offered limited resistance, as Donald proudly retired on 28 not out.

The final total was below par, and the chances of defending 93 were slim for a side without some of their mainline bowlers.

During the brief interval, Jackson mused over his bowling attack, and decided that last week’s duo of Donald & McNamara were the best men for the job. But the decision backfired somewhat, as Toft got off to a wretched start and High Legh punished the opening pair. Jackson demanded control, and turned to Gibbon & Raffo, who provided it. A whole host of runs were accumulated from streaky strokes off bat edges, squirting away to the boundary causing huge frustration for the bowlers.

Gibbon picked up a wicket for his endeavours and posted impressive figures of 1-8 off his 4 overs. But it wasn’t enough, as the hosts coasted to victory with 5 overs to spare.

Maybe the toss of the coin is the reason? Maybe the quality of the bowling attack? The pitch? Anyway, the main thing is the team spirit prevailed, and the treasurer was left to rue his decision to open up the kitty at the pub. Everyone is money mad, but Toft just want the help from one coin…..