HASLEMERE suffered a setback in their push for promotion, losing by two wickets to lowly Chertsey in a low-scoring Surrey Championship Division Five game.

The visitors totalled a below-par 129 all out, but then made Chertsey work hard for the runs.

Put in to bat, Haslemere found scoring extremely difficult and batted into the 51st over for their modest total. At 17-3, after early wickets for Jake Loveridge and Josh Jackman, they had to rebuild, but Chris Spooner and Simon Eastment were out in quick succession after a promising stand and now Haslemere were 52-5.

Chris Sturt and Leigh Thayre shored up the innings with a partnership of 58 and Sturt was last man out for a resolute 40. Loveridge finished with 4-23 in 12 overs.

Chertsey’s reply followed a similar pattern and at 81-6, the game was in the balance.

However, number 6 Leon Van Vuuren weathered a fine spell from Williams – 4-33 in 14 overs – and steered his side home with a vital 45 not out.