LEADERS Churt made fairly light work of a run-chase against lowly Old Emanuel and they expect a much tougher test this weekend when they host second-placed Stoke D’Abernon in the Surrey Championship Division Five.

Dan Higgins’ decision to bowl first at the Blagdons ground looked dubious as the Emanuel openers plundered 34 off the first four overs, with Suhaas Kaushik dispatching anything loose.

Ron Defreitas made the breakthrough when Saleh Mohammad, despite his protestations to the contrary, was caught behind by Will Hucker – the first of five victims for the keeper.

Hucker took further catches off Oli Plaistowe and Dave Thomas, and, after Ben Mitchell had dropped him in the slips, Suhaas was caught by Toby Finneran off Thomas for 57.

At that stage, Emanuel were 88-4 from 21 overs, but they moved with alacrity to 164 without further loss in just 16 more overs as the middle-order pair of skipper Sajjad Ahmad (48) and Qumber Naqvi (62) made Churt wilt in the heat.

However, this present Churt side has a steely core and different players have been stepping up when it matters. Cue 15-year-old Josh Williams who entered the fray just before the second drinks break and changed things dramatically. The spinner took 5-16 in 5.3 controlled overs, with catches by Jon Palmer and Higgins, a stumping by Hucker and two successive clean-bowled. The home side lost their last six wickets for 44 runs and were all out for 208 in the 45th over.

With 56 overs to get the runs, Churt could take their time, but Hucker hit the first ball of the innings straight down mid-off’s throat. Things were not quite going to plan as Mitchell followed at 32, but then Palmer and Finneran built a solid partnership, adding 110 in 30 overs.

The visitors were 142-3 when Palmer was trapped in front for 60 and their only issue was with the rising run-rate. Churt have a history of failed chases and with 67 wanted from 12 overs, the omens were not good when Finneran declined a quick single and Thomas was run out for nought.

However, Higgins upped the tempo with the well-set Finneran and with good balls being scored off, Old Emanuel were pressured into mistakes.

By the time Higgins perished to a top-edged slog-sweep, the pair had put on 60 in eight overs and Churt required just seven from nearly four overs.

Finneran sealed a five-wicket victory with a boundary to end 74 not out and 24 points strengthens Churt’s grip at the top.