ALSAGER'S bowlers cost them dear on Sunday as they fell six runs short of a cup semi-final place.

Bramhall hit an excellent 185 all out in their 40 overs in their away clash in the quarter final of the Cheshire Cup.

Alsager fought back to leave them needing eight to win from the last over, but fell at the last hurdle to end 180 all out.

The disappointment followed delight on Saturday as they thrashed next to bottom Toft at home in the league.

The victory was Alsager's first against their opponents since 1971, with Eddie Gilhooly the top batsman with 73.

His excellent innings followed a superb century last weekend at Cheadle Hulme, his best score of the season.

Alsager declared on 244 for three against Toft, captain Steve Armitage scoring 70, he and Gilhooly sharing in a 137-run opening partnership.

Darren Long was also on form, hitting an unbeaten 62.

Toft were dismissed in reply for only 130, Gareth Rowe earning a season's best figures with five for 45, supported by two for 22 for Paul Tibbetts.

''Toft had become our bogey side, and this was our best all round performance of the season," said Steve Armitage.

''However we did not bowl particularly well against Bramhall, and the bowlers gave us a bit too much to do.''

Rowe claimed two wickets for 17, and number nine Alan Stancliffe and last man in Dominic Bull were out in the last over, Bull going in the last ball needing a six.

Armitage top scored with 42, ahead of 37 for Ken South and 21 from Gary Pickford.

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