CHURT, after a few hiccups, beat Cobham Avorians to maintain their push for top position in Division Four of the Surrey Championship.

Despite the hot, windless conditions at the Rec, Dan Higgins inserted promotion rivals Avorians on a good track. Oli Plaistowe snapped up an early wicket and the visitors were three down for 56, but Churt had to be patient, especially with skipper Sanjay Rodrigo striking the ball well and advancing down the wicket to nullify Ben Mitchell’s spin.

The Australian did break a partnership of 59, thanks to a fine catch by keeper Arran Higgins, but that brought in the hard-hitting Kumudu Prashad and the score moved swiftly to 155 before the returning Ron Defreitas castled Rodrigo for 60.

Ben Mitchell and Rowley Marshall then mopped up the late order with their usual efficiency and with Churt holding their catches, Cobham were all out in the 51st over for a below-par 190.

There was still much work to be done in the strength-sapping heat and Churt were an unpromising 31-3 when Mitchell and Jon Palmer came together and calmed the nerves with batting that combined good sense with fine stroke-play.

With the score on 100, Palmer was caught behind and although Arran Higgins (reprieved when bowled by a no-ball) and Mitchell added 43, the latter reaching his 50, both fell in the space of four runs, leaving the home side in trouble again at 147-6.

However, that was as far as Avorians got. Dave Thomas and Marshall unleashed a series of cracking boundaries and before Cobham could restore any sort of pressure, their unbroken partnership of 44 had finished the game in the 40th over, Churt winning by four wickets.

Churt are away to Byfleet this Saturday.