CHURT were hamstrung in their attempts to force a win that would have opened up a gap at the top of the Surrey Championship Division Five – firstly by the weather and then by Old Pauline’s stubborn resistance.

Credit to groundsman Ian Leek for preparing a suitable pitch, given the biblical weather on Wednesday night. The wicket was not easy to score on, but it certainly did not misbehave.

Pauline captain Chris Berkett predictably put the home side in and decent bowling, combined with injudicious shots, had Churt in all sorts of trouble at 26-5 and then 36-6.

Upneet Arora, Berkett and Dutchman Ruud Nijman tore through the top order, with all bar Rowley Marshall falling to catches. Only Tom Chandler made it into double figures, although riding his luck somewhat.

That brought numbers 7 and 8 to the crease and, thankfully for Churt, the seasoned David Thomas and much younger Dan Treder batted with maturity. They kept out the dangerous balls and punished anything loose. ‘Nelson’ struck with the partnership on 75, the total having tripled from when they came together, when Thomas, who had just brought up a fluent half-century, guided one from Berkett into the slip cordon.

Treder went soon after for 31, missing a clever slower ball from the impressive Berkett.

Skipper Daniel Higgins, who hit a straight six, and the immoveable Oli Plaistowe added a vital 25 and Churt finished on 142 all out from 54.2 overs.

Old Pauline’s reply was held up by rain and the minimum 46 overs they were to receive was reduced by five.

Thomas (8-4-6-2) and Plaistowe (9-2-24-2) bowled tight, probing spells. Plaistowe had pinch-hitter and overseas player Wayde Damon caught by Higgins, Thomas removed the dangerous Alex Duncan, and 14-2 became 17-4 as the seamers penetrated the defences of Ollie Ratnatunga and Tom Rigby.

However, Tim Schneider set about ‘operation frustrate’ and was backed up by the more attacking Ben Parker and Joe Harris. When the latter pair fell to spinners Ben Mitchell and Marshall, the visitors focussed on survival.

Marshall struck twice in two balls to leave Old Pauline 77-8 with six overs remaining. Churt allowed Berkett to have a runner when he pulled a hamstring and he and Schneider resisted all attempts to shift them, guiding their side to 85-8 from 41 overs. Schneider made 25 not out from 129 balls.

Disappointing for Churt, but their recovery from being 36-6 was a reason for satisfaction.