Surrey Championship

Premier Division

Guildford 179

Banstead 180-6

BANSTEAD recorded back to back wins for the first time this season to keep their Surrey Championship Premier Division survival hopes alive.

Rory Burns struck 50 as Jak Martin's side chased down Guildford's modest total of 179 all out.

But with other results going against them will need to record at least one more win from their remaining two games to be sure of avoiding the drop.

In a tense finish, Banstead again showed their liking for the 50 over format, thanks to an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 40 from Adam Clarke and Dan Newton.

Captain Martin was cautious in victory, saying there was still work to be done before his side could be sure of avoiding the drop.

He said: "We knew the run in would be tough. We owed this win to some great fielding which kept the target achievable.

"Those last few overs were as tense as I've witnessed this season, but full credit to the guys. Next week will be our third cup final in as many weeks."

Guildford elected to bat after winning the toss but lost Ross Scudamore to a spectacular catch from Richard Bedbrook off Tristan Caviet.

Tarique Kalam and Carmen Matapuna then built a firm platform before Kalam fell to Bedbrook for 23, and Matapuna went to Mark Houghton for 41 just as Guildford raised the 100 mark.

The innings was then held together by Dean Scudanmore (32) as Banstead's tigerish fielding and tight bowling - especially from Caviet whose 10 overs yielded only 17 runs - restricted run scoring opportunities.

Wickets fell steadily as the innings closed on 179, Clarke providing a real highlight with a spectacular catch on the boundary to dismiss Alex Nash.

In reply Banstead's innings got off to a slow start with Burns in uncharacteristically sluggish mood, scoring 54 in 101 balls.

After losing Houghton for 17 and then Tom Lancefield, run out for 4, it was left to the middle order to chip in with useful contributions – Martin (17) and Sam Woodward (24) to take Banstead close to their target. But just as the run rate was edging out of Banstead's reach Newton and Clarke combined against a wearying Guildford attack to take Banstead over the line with one over remaining.

Banstead now meet Championship contenders Sutton at Avenue Road on Saturday in a game which could well decide the fate of teams at both ends of the table.