BANSTEAD secured promotion to the Surrey Championship Premier Division with their victory over Farnham on Saturday.

Choosing to bat on a good-looking wicket, Banstead got off to a flyer as openers Tom Lancefield and Dan Newton took five boundaries off the first two overs. However, Farnham held their nerve and Rob Goldsworthy produced a ‘jaffa’ to dismiss skipper Newton.

Goldsworthy took two more wickets as the home side slipped to 96-4. Veteran Neil Baker came in to hammer 74 off 75 balls, but tight bowling by Rob Dale and Nathan Thorpe forced the other batsmen to take risks.

Farnham fought hard and the introduction of Ciaran Rooney brought two stumpings by Joel Walker. An excellent run-out by Thorpe left Banstead all out for 197.

The total proved to be easily enough as Satbir Mann and Tom Pitchley reduced Farnham to 39-4 before Thorpe, looking in fine form, and Toby Ward stopped the rot.

At 74, Ward, who was set, hit one straight down Baker’s throat at mid-off. Thorpe continued to bat with real authority, but lacked support and ex-Glamorgan player Lancefield worked his way through the lower middle order.

Thorpe completed a fine 50 before being last man out, caught and bowled by Lancefield who finished with 5-19 in 6.4 overs.

Farnham were dismissed for 107, but picked up enough bonus points to ensure a mid-table position in their first season back in Division One. They host relegated Walton in their final game this Saturday.2nd XI fail with batFARNHAM II, after comfortably retaining their 2nd XI Premiership status, let themselves down in making a disappointing 131 all out in the Park against East Molesey II.Farnham slumped to 58-5 and although Jonny Matthews batted really well for his 40 not out, the home side never broke the shackles against the accuracy of Ben Campbell and Elliott Hanson.Farnham nearly made amends with some fine bowling and when Saaj Patel had opener Jason Moore caught off his boot for 58, and then Marc Lewis took a superb catch off the same bowler, Molesey were 98-5 Molesey eventually edged home by three wickets to ensure their survival in the Premier Division. Farnham visit relegated Valley End this Saturday. It will be Ian Thorpe’s last game as captain.