Woodmansterne battled to a fine away win at Ewhurst on Saturday to keep alive their slim hopes of promotion in the Surrey County League Division Two.

Chris Vagg top-scored with 32 as Woods were bowled out for 168, with Richard Knight contributing 27.

Woods lost the toss and were asked to bat, slipping quickly to 35-2, on a green wicket that was producing irregular bounce.

Double figures scores from the majority of the top order, however, took Woods up towards a competitive total, with Vagg and Knight figuring prominently making 32 and 27 respectively. Clarence-Smith took 4-45 as Woods made 168 all out.

Ewhurst had 46 overs to reply, and moved briskly to 44 from 10 overs before Wortley was introduced to enable the opening bowlers to change ends.

However, skipper Vagg persisted with leg-spinner Wortley after he took a wicket in his first over and then 2 more in his second; meanwhile Wells nipped out the fluent Clarence-Smith for 38 and Woods were suddenly on top.

At 57-4, Balchin (53¤) came in, and was the only Ewhurstian to offer real resistance, as the spin of Wortley ran through the tail.

He was rested having captured 8-48, and when Anderson had Brace caught by Knight in the slips, Woods had bowled Ewhurst out for 147.

The 21 run win, their third on the spin, capped a fine day for the club, with all three league sides winning.