East Molesey Cricket Club chairman Jon Elworthy is confident his side can mix it with the big boys of the Surrey Championship Premier Division.

The Memorial Ground side returned to the top flight for the first time in 25 years last Saturday with a 13-run defeat at champions Wimbledon.

But Elworthy is convinced they will take the division by storm.

Elworthy said: “It’s been a long while since we were up against the big boys and we all know that we will be up against it, but, with a bit of luck, we know that we can take the league by storm.”

Esher began their Division Two season in fine style with a thumping 146-run win as John Mason and Derek Lane starred with bat and ball against Chessington.

Mason hit 107 from 101 balls to help Esher to a 235 all out total, before Lane took 5-22 to skittle Chessington out for just 89 and record the win under the Duckworth-Lewis method. On Saturday, they go to Trinity Mid-Whitgiftian.

Walton-on-Thames had a narrow eight-run opening day win over Purley in Division Two. Bilal Chohan top-scored with 45 as Walton made 195-9 off their 50 overs.

Purley were set a revised target of 184 off 44 overs but fell just short as they hit 176-9 with Jared De Jesus and Iain Collis taking three wickets each.