CHRIS Murtagh was delighted after Reigate Priory took their fourth Surrey Championships title in six years in a "cup final" atmosphere at Park Lane on Saturday.

A large crowd watched the Llamas defeat second-placed Sunbury to clinch the Premier Division title.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Alex Mendis takes a wicket against Sunbury on Saturday on the way to Reigate Priory clinching the title Photo by CRfb20100828A-001_X
FLYING HIGH: Wicketkeeper Stuart Mills is tested Photo by Fergus Burnett CRfb20100828A-001_X

A blend of youth and experience - and different people putting in good performances at different points of the season - were key to the triumph, the skipper said.

"There was a mixture of people holding their hand up at the right time and not necessarily the same person," reflected Murtagh of the season. "There were three or four really close games."

A large crowd - boosted by a packed supporters' club lunch - watched as Priory reached their target of 146 in the penultimate game on Saturday.

"It was almost a cup final type game," said Murtagh. "To beat Sunbury who also had a chance of the title and clinch the championship was special.

"We had lots of people watching. It's great to see people are interested in what Reigate are doing.

"The players have produced some great cricket and that's probably one of the reasons people came to watch."

Runners-up last year - when they also made the national Twenty20 finals day - the future is in safe hands, he believes.

"I think certainly we're looking good for a few years.

"You certainly need a mixture - Alex Richards, Simon Hume, Michael Foster, they have been brilliant all year and they have shown a good example to the youngsters - there are definitely some good young players who have certainly got years left."

That is, if they do not rise to a higher standard. Jason Roy was one of several missing players last Saturday, having forced his way not just into Surrey's Twenty20 squad but the longer forms of county cricket.

"We missed him but we're delighted as a club that one of our own has progressed," said the skipper. Priory were also without Simon King, their other Surrey player, and Aiden Blizzard, their overseas player who has already returned to Australia.

"It just shows that we've got strength in depth and people can come in and perform at that level."

Priory were knocked out early in this season's Twenty20, but Murtagh said: "That was disappointing, but if you had asked me which competition I would prefer to win it would have been the league."

Priory finish the season against Ashtead on Saturday.