TOFT fully expected to consolidate their position in the league top four against lowly-placed Didsbury on Saturday.

But their early season's performance at Didsbury should have cautioned their optimism.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat but a short sharp shower delayed the start briefly and also freshened up the wicket.

Unfortunately Toft's bowlers could not take advantage and a brisk start saw Didsbury on 40 for 0 wicket after only 10 overs.

The scoring rate then slowed down and the batsmen progressed steadily to 164 for 9 declared, Burns and Stoneman scoring 32 runs each.

During the innings Toft's Paul Bertenshaw became the first bowler in the league to reach 50 wickets for the season taking 4 for 45 with Roy supporting with 3 for 52.

When Toft began their reply it became obvious that the wicket was better suited to the Didsbury quicker bowlers and they soon reduced the home side to 50 for 5 wickets.

Despite a spirited effort by the lower order batsmen, of whom Cornes was outstanding with 47, the Toft innings closed on 134 all out, 31 runs short of the sought-after victory.

Next Saturday Toft travel to Hyde, 12.30pm start.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.