LEADERS Puttenham came perilously close to losing their unbeaten record as Lindford, nine places below them in the I'Anson division one table, came within one wicket of a shock victory.

Lindford, put in to bat, set out to bat the full 48 overs against the visitors and the innings was consistency itself with partnerships of 47, 40, 32 and 26. Leigh Keddle made top score of 44 and Karston Waller contributed 30 as Lindford totalled a creditable 170-7, with the Puttenham bowlers sticking to their task in the heat.

The required rate of four an over seemed well within Puttenham's capabilities, but they were soon forced into a rearguard action by the medium-pace bowling of Charlie Worman. In an outstanding spell from the road end, he took 7 for 22 from 14 overs, seven of which were maidens, and bowled his side to the brink of victory.

Had it not been for an innings of 36 off 110 balls by opener Kevin Mansell, Puttenham might well have lost. As it was, Richard Champneys had to play out 39 balls and was finally joined by last man Paul Crouch as the leaders survived for a draw, ending on a modest 75-9.

Dogmersfield, who seem to have put a dip in form behind them, totally dominated Headley in their efforts to regain top spot.

Again, Dogmersfield relied heavily on the pace of Eddie Smith who began his day in the sun by uprooting the stumps twice in the first over.

Headley were 21-4 before Rooney offered some resistance with a well-paced 40. But he also fell to the fiery Smith who finished with 5 for 23 from 14 overs and with young Yorston bowling well in support, the visitors capitulated for 123 on a good track.

Hindle and Voyce immediately got after the bowling and put on 67 with some aggressive hitting. The ubiquitous Smith followed suit and only the leg-spin of Arend caused a few problems for Dogmersfield who coasted to a six-wicket victory.

It's been a dismal June for Cranleigh SA who lost to Tilford by two wickets on Saturday. Deciding to bat on a dry Snoxhall track, St Andrews were quickly in trouble against the accuracy of Martyn and Nesbitt, the latter taking the first three wickets. Knight and Samways staged a recovery, but another collapse followed to Martyn and Purdie, and it took a determined effort by Hill to get the total up to 114 in the 48th over.

An early run-out and the miserly bowling of Ketley made life just as difficult for Tilford and John Hunt's 37 proved crucial to the outcome. In a tense finish, Tilford reached their target in the last over when Martyn drove Stuart Hook's third ball for four.

John Morrison found his best batting form for Wood Street, hitting 92 before falling to a brilliant catch on the boundary by Smithers. However, number 9 Bell hit out strongly for 41 and Fernhurst found themselves chasing 238 for victory.

After a shaky start, Fernhurst recovered with a fine partnership between Melrose and Raleigh, who both completed half-centuries. However, the home side were always behind the run-rate against the economical bowling of Wright and Haymon.

Grayshott convincingly beat bottom side Thursley. Haywood, Wheble, Sobey and Baker all kept a stranglehold on the batsmen as a frustrated Thursley crumbled to 73 all out in 31 overs. Phil Judge instigated a sharp run-out, while only Cozens hung around for long.

A belligerent Schwick took 12 off the first over. He was out before tea, leaving Hunt and Baker to do most of the work as Grayshott completed a comprehensive win.

An opening stand of 72 between Sale and Woods gave The Bourne an excellent start in the local derby at Frensham. Quentin Woods, aided by some poor fielding, reached his fifty and further good knocks from Siebert and Cole, plus 30 extras, enabled Bourne to reach 186 all out, although it took them 48 overs.

Frommholz had reduced Frensham to 16-2, when 'grinder' Chuter was joined by Thomson in a stand of 118 that featured both solid defence and handsome strokeplay. Thomson finally fell to Frensham 'old boy' Falkiner for a fine 79.

Too many of the other batsmen got out to rash shots and it was left to skipper Adam Page and number 10 Turtle to guide Frensham to the extra points.