Ashtead CC are top of the Surrey Championship Division One and they do not intend to be removed, says skipper Tom Deighton.

A five-wicket win over Cranleigh – thanks mostly to a 145-run partnership between Sam Homes (65*) and Rob Lammiman (85*) – kept Ashtead six points above rivals Spencer.

Deighton led his side to promotion from Division Two as champions last season, something he believes is key to staying on top.

“We have learned how to win games and bit more ruthless when he need to be,” he said.

“It comes down to having that confidence, and maybe we have a little bit more over the sides relegated from the Premier Division, like Spencer.”

He added: “Promotion was the plan at the start of the season, and now we’re top we don’t want to lose it, and it is in our hands.

“And if we’re promoted we want to have a sustainable club that can stay at the top level, and that is what we have.”

Ashtead are unbeaten in three Division One outings, although there was a time when last weekend’s win seemed unlikely.

Set 223 to win, Ashtead stumbled to 79-5 – but then up stepped Lammiman and Homes.

Deighton said: “It looked like it was game over, but tea came at just the right moment.

“We could regroup, I asked the guys if the game was winnable, and they said yes, and they did it.”

He added: “They will be the first to admit they are not in the best of form, but what a way to answer the critics.”