There are normally very few comparisons between the victorious Ashes England cricket team and Ashtead CC, but now that is very different.

Ashtead wrapped up the Division One title two weekends ago, and then went on to lose their first match in 11 games last weekend at Banstead by a massive 134 runs.

It echoes England tying up the Ashes urn two weeks ago with the Oval Test still to play, which they then went on to lose by an innings.

But Ashtead skipper Tom Deighton is unfussed by the defeat at Banstead, instead preferring to heap praise on the team that has returned to the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship after a five-year hiatus.

He said: “When the title was settled, some of the lads went on holiday and some have struggled to get up for the games.

“It is one of those things, we’re still trying to win the games but it happens, just like the England team in the Ashes, it can be difficult to get up for games.”

He added: “It was not easy against Banstead. I lost the toss and they batted, putting on almost 200 for the first wicket, so we were fielding in 25 degrees for a long time.”

Thomas Lancefield (105) and Daniel Newton (103) were the thorns in Ashtead’s side on Saturday as Banstead picked up their fifth win in six games.

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Past him: Ashtead wicketkeeper Colin Pitt can only watch as Banstead skipper Dan Newton (103) makes the bowlers toil

But it is Ashtead who will finish top of the pile.

Deighton said: “We were always confident of going up, but we put a long run together and became the team to beat.

“Teams came to us thinking they needed to do something different to beat us, and we were able to take advantage.”

He added: “We’re looking to stay in the Premier Division and stop being a team that goes up and down.

“We want to be in a place where we’re competing with the Sunburys and Wimbledons of this world.”

Much of Ashtead’s success this season could be laid at the feet of Surrey CCC batsman Dom Sibley, however, Deighton insists it has been a team effort.

“It has been refreshing to see so many players have a good season, there has always been someone who has stepped up when needed,” he said.

“Of course, Dom has scored a lot of runs, but it is not all about him and he would not want it to be.

“In the games against Sutton and East Molesey when Dom has done nothing, others have come forward.

“Now we can celebrate and look forward to next season.”

Ashtead go to Chipstead this weekend before the season at Cranleigh.