CHURT slipped from third to fifth in Division Three of the Surrey Championship after losing heavily at Addiscombe on Saturday.

Electing to bowl first, Churt started brightly, Dave Thomas removing skipper Lewis Noble with only nine runs on the board.

Thereafter, Addiscombe made steady progress, the batsmen chipping in around keeper Aidy Monk who was eventually seventh man out for 75, falling to Eric Osner who was again the pick of the Churt bowlers, taking 4-27 in 14 overs.

At 131-7, Churt looked set to dismiss the host for under 150, but there was a real sting in the tail, with the last three wickets adding 109 runs. Leo Pavithran (37 not out) and James Ramsey (47) thumped the ball to all parts as Addiscombe posted a hefty 240-9.

Ramsey then removed Dan Higgins and in-form skipper Toby Finneran cheaply (9-2), but Will Hucker (33) and Jon Palmer added 59 in a promising partnership.

When Palmer went for 45, Churt were 92-5 and well off the pace. Hopes of a draw were ended by Esmatullah Zadran who snapped up 3-5 in 3.2 overs and Churt were all out for 121 in the 48th over.