Ashtead CC skipper Tom Deighton expects to tie up the Surrey Championship Division Two title this weekend.

He takes his side to second placed Chipstead this weekend, knowing a win will seal the championship and promotion.

Ashtead, relegated from Division One last season, have only lost twice this season, and should they lose this weekend, a win over the already relegated Horsley & Send on September 6 would seal promotion as, at least, runners-up.

However, Deighton wants the top spot.

“When we played Chipstead in July, they batted out for a draw, so everyone is feeling confident, and we expect to win the game,” he said.

“We don’t want to go up in second, we want to prove we are the best in the league.”

He added: “It would be nice to have it all wrapped up ahead of the last game.

“This time last season we were already relegated, so the final game was a bit of nothing.

“Hopefully this time round it will be different.”

Ashtead find themselves in this position after a 142-run win over Dulwich last weekend, featuring knocks from Dom Sibley (96) and John Vaughan-Davies (53).

There have been few changes to the side relegated last term, except for more competition in the second and third teams, but Deighton says this has been key to Ashtead’s imminent return.

“Last season I’d be scrapping around looking for any players who were available to play,” he said.

“But this season there has been added competition and I’ve had to make some tough choices along the way.”

And his decisions will get much tougher when Ashtead travel to Northants’ County Ground home on September 9 for the ECB National Club T20 finals day.