Malden Wanderers skipper James Wackett was left to rue an afternoon of missed opportunities as his team suffered a four-wicket defeat at Camberley on Saturday, writes Steven Morgan.

Wanderers, now sixth in Surrey Championship Division One, reached 83 for two thanks to Will Sabey (36) and Alex Butler (42) before the pair – and in-form Cil van der Merwe, out second ball – were dismissed to leave them floundering at 96 for five.

Wackett (33) and Alex Redmayne (31) repaired the damage, adding 52 for the sixth wicket, but the last three men fell for 14 to leave Camberley chasing 208.

An opening stand of 105 between skipper Max Shoveller and Todd Hutcheson – the former dominating with 74 from just 65 balls – laid a good platform for the hosts, and despite the best efforts of Giles Puckle (4-64) and Will Riley (2-34) Camberley reached their target in the 49th over.

“We paid for the inability of four of our top seven – including me – to turn 30s into a match-winning knock,” said Wackett.

“Our score was always going to be hard to defend on a wicket that had flattened out during the day. We were never really close after Shoveller’s excellent innings, although Puckle and Riley were the standout bowlers.”

Wanderers entertain third-placed Spencer on Saturday.