CHURT secured their tenth win of the season and with other results going their way, Dan Higgins’ side have clinched an immediate return to Division Four.

Higgins inserted Maori Oxshott at the Rec and the visitors were quickly in trouble against Dave Thomas and Ron Defreitas. Thomas, in particular, was a constant threat and reduced Maori to 39-3 with one of his best spells for Churt. Nearly every ball looked a wicket-taker as he picked up 3-25 in his 10 overs.

All-rounder Matt Hutcheon and Baz Medlycott then batted sensibly for 20 overs, taking the score to 104 before the latter holed out to Higgins off Josh Williams.

Baz’s father, Keith, formerly of Surrey and England, was also caught by Higgins, this time off Dom Saint, and Maori were 129-5.

Tight bowling all round, most notably from Ben Mitchell who took 4-18 in 9.3 overs, strangled the batsmen. Mitchell finally had Hutcheon stumped for 68 and Maori were all out for 158 in the last over.

Gyde edged the third ball of the innings and when fellow opener Will Hucker also fell to Hutcheon, Churt were an unpromising 21-2.

However, Jon Palmer and Mitchell rescued their side with a brisk partnership of 89 in 16 overs. Off-spinner Baz Medlycott then had Mitchell caught for a forceful 61 and Toby Finneran and Thomas went cheaply, leaving Churt with a bit to do at 129-5.

However, the in-form Palmer and Higgins knocked off the remaining 30 runs in less than six overs, Palmer just having time to complete another half-century.

With Battersea and Haslemere both losing, and with the second and third placed teams still to play each other, Churt are assured of promotion. They need another eight points from their remaining three matches to secure the championship.

This Saturday, Churt visit Haslemere, one of only two teams to beat them this season.