Skipper Sam Woodward hailed his Banstead team after a fifth Surrey Championship victory in a row left them in the thick of the Surrey Championship Division One promotion race, writes Mark Spring.

A fine all-round performance at Walton-on-Thames saw third-placed Banstead close to just 12 points behind second-placed Ashtead - ahead of Saturday's home clash with bottom-of-the-table Farnham.

"This is the longest winning run we have had under my captaincy," said Woodward.

"Again we saw a great all-round team performance and the spirit in the team is excellent.

"Although we haven't moved up the table we have closed the gap and are one win from a promotion spot."

On a bowler-friendly wicket, Walton raced to 100-3, but wickets then began to fall at regular intervals.

Jamie De Reuck (42) provided the main resistance as Dan gale and Mark Houghton took four wickets each and Tristam Caviet contributed 2-35.

Walton were eventually all out for 185 - a last-wicket partnership of 30 holding Banstead up.

Although Houghton fell early, Rory Burns' sparkling 80 plus 33 from Woodward saw Banstead race to 128-2.

Woodward's departure saw Banstead slump to 151-6, but an undefeated seventh-wicket stand between Kak Luxford (21) and Jak Martin (five) saw them home.