TOFT - relegated from the Murray Smith, Cheshire County League Premier Division last season - started their first game in Division One on Saturday.

The Congleton skipper won the toss and elected to bat on his home pitch.

The openers started briskly, scoring at six an over before Cornes claimed the first wicket at 42.

The second wicket fell to Shiells at 68 and this brought together Congleton's new recruits Taylor and Porter. They were both dropped more than once by the Toft fielders and then despatched fours and sixes off the Toft bowling to all corners of the ground.

Congleton, with enough runs on the board after 40 overs, decided to go the league's record score and declared at 325 for 4 from 49 overs.

Taylor scored 62 and Rob Porter finished on 167 not out.

Toft bowling - Shiells 12 overs, 3 for 68 and Cornes 17 overs 1 for 112.Toft opened the batting with kipper Muirhead and Richard Hardstaff who looked in good form.

Muirhead departed on 17 and Hardstaff was run out at 21 for 2.

The third and fourth wickets fell at 70 and from then on it was a case of hanging on for a draw, with Congleton regretting they had gone for the record.

McManus scored 18, Carolan looked good for his 25 and Matt Cornes played an extremely controlled innings of 52 out of the next 77 runs scored.

Toft finished on 154 for 7 from 51 overs.

Congleton bowling - Mawby 3 for 33 and Farr 2 for 45.