CHURT failed to carry their excellent May into June as they lost to bogey side Battersea Ironsides in South-West London.

Put in to bat, Churt started well, with Will Hucker and Ben Mitchell blunting the Battersea attack during an opening stand of 83. The former was slow and steady on a tricky wicket, the latter brutal with his selective hitting.

In the 20th over, Mitchell was unlucky to be adjudged lbw to Sean Graham, having struck 70 off 60 balls, including six fours and five sixes.

Battersea recovered well from their mauling, helped by a mixture of injudicious shots, badly executed shots, another interesting leg before decision and a calamitous run-out. Having been 108-1, the visitors limped to 147 all out in just 47 overs.

Churt knew they had to bowl and field out of their skins. Opening bowlers Ronnie DeFreitas and Oli Plaistowe exploited the conditions well and the latter castled George Williams with only 18 on the board. But the home batsmen played sensibly, knowing the run-rate was not an issue, with Troy McKenzie looking particularly solid.

Spin twins Mitchell and Rowley Marshall then set to work. Mitchell trapped McKenzie in front for 41 and when he had number 3 Jason James well caught by Tim Chandler, Ironsides were 76-3 in the 32nd over and Churt had real hope.

However, after being granted a life by the normally reliable Mitchell in the slips, skipper Sean Graham hit a quick and damaging 20 before falling to Marshall.

Battersea moved on to 142-4 with ample time remaining. Marshall struck again and Mitchell snapped up two quick wickets to return excellent figures of 17-5-36-4, but Henry Marks steered Battersea to a three-wicket victory in the 53rd over.

Churt will hopefully learn from this defeat. They have to if they are to challenge for promotion. Discipline is key and they need to adjust to the conditions when batting.

Churt play a T20 match away to Premier Division side Weybridge on Friday. They visit Kempton in the Surrey Championship on Saturday.