BUOYED by last week’s victory at Stoke D’Abernon, Churt were looking to make it two on the bounce in the Surrey Championship Division Five.

Alleyn’s decision to field first at the Rec looked a good one as Churt’s top order struggled on a pitch which gave low bounce at times.

It was by no means a bad wicket, but at 43-5 – two wickets apiece for Will Bevan and Ryan Foley – a decent score looked a long way off.

However, Toby Finneran (18) put up some resistance, paving the way for Dave Thomas (35) and Harry Hamden (24) to play fluent innings.

Ronnie Defreitas ran Thomas out, but made amends with an entertaining 21 not out, helping Churt to a competitive 148 all out in the 45th over.

Defreitas then ripped through Alleyn’s top order, sending five back to the hutch with only 25 on the board. Only opener Will Murday hung around, but, that said, some of Defreitas’ wicket-taking deliveries were simply unplayable as he claimed 5-19 in his ten overs.

Cutting and Foley advanced the score to 51, but cue Thomas. He broke the stand and that was the prelude for overseas all-rounder Ben Mitchell to clean up the tail in quick time.

His first over was poor, but his second was incredible. The mustachioed Australian bowled Foley with a full-toss before trapping skipper Bevan in front and bowling James Priest – both first ball – to complete a hat-trick.

Not satisfied with that, the left-arm spinner bowled the last man to finish with 4-4 from his two overs. Alleyn all out for 59 in 23 overs.

This Saturday, Churt travel to Old Pauline, aiming to make it a hat-trick of wins.