ALTHOUGH their home game with Whiteley Village came to a watery end last Saturday, Haslemere were able to celebrate promotion to the Surrey Championship after finishing second behind Kempton in the Fuller’s Surrey League Premier Division.

But it was a close call. Haslemere finished just one point above Lingfield who beat Ripley in their final fixture.

Defeat to Whiteley Village would have been very costly for Haslemere, but Leigh Thayre’s men would have backed themselves to beat the visitors after restricting them to 93-9 in their 45 overs before rain ended play.

Only Terry Pope (48) was able to resist another excellent Haslemere bowling performance. All six bowlers gave absolutely nothing away, with openers Ollie Ellis and Billy Boxall between them yielding just 17 runs in 16 overs. Sam Williams took 3 for 14 in six overs.

Four points from an abandoned match was enough to ensure promotion.

Next season, Haslemere will compete in Division?Five of the Surrey Championship, where their opponents will include nearby Churt.