Surrey gained a sweet victory over Northants at Guildford today. They moved up three places in the CricInfo Championship table to second place, behind Yorkshire, as a result of their innings and 55-run triumph.

Resuming at 99-5, still 149 behind, Northants lost Toby Bailey in the day's fourth over. A rearing Martin Bicknell delivery, typical of the match, caught the glove and went through to 'keeper Jon Batty.

Captain David Ripley was then caught by substitute Gary Butcher at fourth slip off Bicknell. The Surrey bowler's 'ten-for' hopes were dashed when Ed Giddins stopped one on Graeme Swann, who hit nine fours in his 45. Alex Tudor and Ben Hollioake polished off the tail.

Batty finished with eight catches in the match.

Bicknell (7-60), having equalled Alec Bedser's Guildford record of five 'five-fors', also moved into a second place, that of leading wicket-taker at Guildford. His 84 victims took him past Tony Lock with only Bedser's 97 still to beat.

Centurian Ally Brown, the only man to make more than 50 in the match, told CricInfo: "I will definitely not be fit for Sunday." The 31-year-old bruised a thumb fielding on day one.

However, he was delighted with the win. "It was just what we needed, particularly as we still have to play Yorkshire twice which suits us."

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