CHURT and Haslemere both failed to improve their mid-table positions in the Surrey Championship.

Promotion contenders Stoke D’Abernon piled up 297-4 in 46 overs after being inserted by Churt in the Division Three fixture.

Greg Talbot dismissed the openers with 55 runs scored, but Churt were unable to contain Tim Handel and Shawn Dyson who plundered 183 for the third wicket.

Dyson clubbed seven sixes in his superb 138.

After their mauling, Churt were going along quite nicely at 68-1, with Toby Finneran and Eric Osner putting on 54. Osner and Josh Williams added 46 for the fifth wicket, but Osner’s dismissal for 67 spelled the end. Williams made a defiant 41 before the visitors were bowled out for 181 in the 52nd over. That man Dyson claimed 4-47.

It was a similar story in Division Four as an under-strength Haslemere invited visitors Ashford to bat and found themselves chasing 250 after Chris Evans (53) and Will Elliott (106 not out off 123 balls) had worn down the bowling in the hot sun.

Haslemere slipped to 89-6 in reply before Simon Eastment (59) and Ollie Ellis (45) played positively in a partnership of 85. Haslemere were eventually all out for 187.