A half-century from Tom Lancefield and 49 from Rory Burns wasn’t enough, as Banstead 1st XI slipped to a 39 run defeat against Wimbledon, on the opening day of the Ryman Surrey Championship season, writes Michael Taylor.

Wimbledon, having won the toss and choosing to bat on a slow wicket, posted a competitive 268 for the loss of only 6 wickets. The mainstay of their innings was Raymond de Passos, who compiled an excellent 107 not out.

de Passos was ably supported by Gerry Penfold (46) and skipper Sebastian Franke – Matthecka (40), as Banstead’s bowlers toiled away with considerable effort without finding any luck. Five out of the six bowlers chipped in with wickets, with nobody’s performance really standing out on a disappointing day for the club.

Lancefield (55) and Burns got the away side off to an excellent start, both playing a mixture of authoritative and fluent shots off both front and back foot. The pair, both contracted by Surrey, picked off the Wimbledon opening bowlers with such ease that it was no surprise when the 100 was brought up before the 20th over.

But both fell in quick succession to Martin Kain, leaving skipper Jak Martin and Ali Jaffer to rebuild the Banstead innings. The pair steadily built an excellent partnership before off-spinner Eranga Mendis struck to brilliantly remove Jaffer with a stunning caught and bowled.

Mendis would also account for Martin (37) finishing with two wickets in his ten over spell. However, undoubtedly the star of the show was Hiran Marambe who devastatingly ripped out the Banstead lower order, in a spell of bowling that left him with figures of 5-19 from 5.1 overs.

Banstead host Reigate Priory on Saturday.