Skipper Chris Benham says the next two weekends are pivotal to Wimbledon CC’s season.

Having beaten Surrey Championship Premier Division leaders Reigate Priory by five wickets last weekend, Wimbledon are now second in the table, 23 points behind the early pace-setters.

They face bottom clubs Banstead and Valley End over the next two weeks, while Reigate face tough assignments against Spencer and Sunbury.

Moreover, momentum is with defending champions Wimbledon on the back of four consecutive wins after a frustrating start to the season.

Benham said: “We had a stop-start opening to the season, and results maybe showed that.

“But I looked at the side playing Reigate and I knew we’d finally got the balance right.

“I have huge confidence in the players and we have to believe we can still win this title, which is why the next two weeks are so very important.”

After being put into the field, Wimbledon’s James Bett took 4-49 as Reigate carded 186-8dec.

With the bat, Ben Compton (68) top-scored as Wimbledon ticked off the runs in the 50th over.

Benham said: “It was a good win against Reigate, and a real all-round team performance.

“Ben [Compton] and Will [Leith] are two of our younger players and they played excellently for the fourth wicket, which is great for me and the club as it shows we’re getting the blend right.”