Merstham’s four teams took a rare clean sweep of victories on Saturday, all four teams winning for the first time this season.

Merstham got back to winning ways with a convincing victory over bottom side Guildford City at Quality Street, with fast bowler Asim Jaffry taking 6-19.

Merstham have now won six and drawn one of their last eight fixtures, and remain optimistic of challenging for promotion in the Surrey Championship Division Five.

After winning the toss, captain Laurie Nicholson was keen to continue the pattern of bowling first, and felt vindicated after Noman Javed (0-25) and Gus Locke (2-24) restricted the opposition’s opening batsman whilst taking two early wickets.

Locke in particular bowled with both pace and control to regularly outclass the batsman, and could easily have taken a few more wickets before the end of his spell.

After being on 20-2 Guildford City had managed to rebuild to reach 65-3, albeit it at a relatively slow rate.

The introduction of the industrious James Coggins (1-14) continued to stem the flow of runs, and following from his impressive debut last week he seems to be a great addition to the Merstham ranks.

While chances were presenting themselves, Merstham were growing slightly frustrated to have not taken more wickets at this stage, and on what seemed to be a slightly two paced wicket Merstham were wary of allowing a competitive total to be posted.

The introduction of Jaffry proved to be the difference. Jaffry offered little respite to the batsman with his probing full and quick deliveries. Mixed with well-placed short balls, the Guildford batsman had no answer to his spell of bowling.

The dependable Humayoon Nasir (1-2), usually a focal point of the Merstham attack, was only required to bowl two overs as Merstham took the final three wickets for no runs leaving a very achievable target of 100 to win.

With a long batting line up Merstham were confident that they should be able to knock off the required runs with relative ease.

Andy Rivers (5) and James Coggins (38) were watchful at first, with the Guildford City bowlers managing to exert some early movement from the new ball.

After some good wicket taking deliveries from the Guildford opening bowlers Merstham looked to be making the chase difficult finding themselves at 20-2, but the in-form Ben Baker (20) unleashed a quick flurry of boundaries to bring the target in to sight.

Coggins remained solid, and provided the anchor for the rest of the team to bat around. With Coggins and Noman Javed (9) falling with victory in sight, it was left to captain Laurie Nicholson (17 not out) to hit the winning runs in the 21st over.

Fourth placed Merstham host second placed Alleyns at Quality Street next week, and after recent results a victory could set up an exciting finish to the season.

Nicholson said: “While we knew that Guildford City are struggling a bit this year, I was pleased with the manner in which we won. We bowled well again, and Jaffry is on fire at the moment. James Coggins has also really impressed in his first two games, and seems to be another great addition.

“We know if we continue this form into next week we could have a chance of pushing for the top two spots, which would be a great achievement in our second season in the Surrey Championship.”

The second team took a vital victory at Peaches Close to climb away from the relegation zone in the Surrey Championship Division Four.

The hosts put on 125 for the first wicket before Mohsin Ali (1-60) and Sunny Bowry took out the openers in quick succession. Another 47 were put on before Bowry hit a rich patch and accumulated 5-48 as Cheam were restricted to 225-7 in 52 overs.

Merstham faltered early on in their response, falling to 40-3 before Finn Harris showed steel beyond his teenage years to scored 88. Joe Benson (26) and Arham Ali (28) were the main contributors before Ali on 19 put Merstham across the line in the 48th over.

The third team were treated to some even better batting by Jack Letts, whose 131 was the focal point of his team’s 269-9 declared at The Ring. Wallington were dismissed for 48.

The fourth XI took a fourth win of the season, this time against Oxted and Limpsfield who were dismissed for 154. Tony Rickards took 3-29, captain Gopa Nair 1-12, Alvin Sathey 2-29, Bill Ash 1-29 and Michael Pitcher 3-21.

Alvin’s father Sathya Kumar scored 46 as the visitors knocked off the runs with six wickets remaining.