After a quick review of the ground on Google images, it looked a ramshackle venue. However, Runcorn looked a resplendent sight to behold on a beautiful afternoon. Toft were without skipper Phil Berry for the foreseeable future due to him being in hospital for a knee operation. Joining Berry on the sidelines was star-player Phil Raffo, who had a been taken ill overnight. However, stepping in to the fray were three new recruits under the guidance of stand-in skipper Andrew Jackson, himself returning from injury.

Athletic opening batsman Alex Davies was joined in the starting XI by his lithe namesake, Mike, who would keep wicket. Also making the cut was the uncompromising figure of the rugged Steve Barlow, who made his second appearance for the side.

With Jackson without 3 of his front-line bowlers at his disposal, he was looking to the second string bowlers on his roster to step up to the mark, and they obliged……

Opening the bowling was the burly duo of Simon Donald & James McNamara. Both bowled economically, with McNamara helping himself to two wickets early doors. In a good position on the scoreboard, Jackson introduced himself into the attack for the first time for the club, along with the energetic Jonathan Broadhurst. Both kept the scoring to a minimum, as Jackson twirled in with his off breaks at one end, helping himself to a brace of wickets. Broadhurst bustled in enthusiastically and was wicketless despite his endeavours.

Broadhurst set the standard in the field with some electric ground fielding and took 3 catches, the pick of which was a tracer bullet of a shot that he plucked out the air at short mid-wicket.

Jackson continued to rotate, using the skills of Tom Carter, who claimed two scalps & Steven Barton, who bowled a maiden in his restrictive spell. Steve Barlow also picked up his first wicket for the club, and the experienced Chris Bongard also helped himself to couple to contain the hosts to 145-9 from their 35 overs.

During the break, stricken team mates were anxiously checking their phones for updates on the scoreline, as abstract bar snacks were feasted upon by the greedy visiting dressing room.

Only a few things are certain in life, however, and a 4th XI batting disaster is one of them. They say death and taxes are the others, but either would have been preferable to the stroke that saw the end of McNamara for just two.

Barton joined fresh-faced opener Davies in the middle but his dismissal will have left Berry, flat on his back in hospital, pumping the morphine pedal for relief. It was Jackson who needed an injection of quality, and he was administered in two doses when Fraser Prest & Tom Carter got together at the crease at number 4 & 5. Prest has been in wretched from with the bat, but he produced a display of stubbornness and resolve that perfectly accompanied Carter’s attacking mindset at the other end. He plundered 50 not out with a flurry of lusty blows to retire and put Toft firmly in the box seat.

Prest kept the innings together, sticking around and holding up one end as Bongard & Mike Davis left the scene, with hardly any ink of the scorer’s pen been expended.

Every team needs a finisher, and out strode team treasurer Jonathan Broadhurst, clutching a new piece of willow hastily knocked in beforehand. Broadhurst dealt in the currency of runs as he dealt some punishing blows to the Runcorn attack, cashing in on some slack bowling. With Prest by his side, he put Toft in a winning position, leaving Berry gyrating for joy back in Wythenshawe.

When Prest’s vigil finally ended on 23, it was up to Jackson & Broadhurst to finish the job in front of a packed pavilion, but the latter finishing undefeated on 32 not out.

Every team needs a squad, and every squad needs different qualities. From the firm hitting of Carter, to the robust nature of Prest’s defence to the tigerish Broadhurst. This team has the different qualities required in abundance…