PUTTENHAM, I'Anson runners-up last year, went top of the table in division one after collecting maximum points against Tilford on Saturday.

Asked to bat, Puttenham recovered from a shaky start to post a large total. Opener Lumsden and John Crouch made the most of a good wicket, both completing half-centuries, and late-order contributions from Smith and Beagley enabled a declaration at 218-7 after only 39 overs.

Wilson and Peter Slinger counter-attacked with an excellent stand of 52 for Tilford's first wicket. Skipper Chris Wilson went on to make 73 and, with 30 overs gone, it looked as though the visitors would hold on for a draw.

However, Richard Champneys came on to wreck the innings, taking three wickets in four balls. Tilford were finally all out for 143 in the 47th over and Champneys finished with 5 for 20 in 9.2 overs.

Dogmersfield, who travel to Paultons in the Village Cup fourth round this Sunday, lost their 100 per cent I'Anson record as The Bourne at last flexed their muscles to gain an overdue win. Smiths Len and Ed made things very difficult for the home side, reducing them to 31-5 after 18 overs. The depth of the batting meant Bourne were able to dig deep and reach a total of 132 on a wicket that proved helpful to the bowlers.

Eddleston, Poulter, Frommholz and Cole, in particular, batted well in the later overs. Len Smith ended with fine figures of 4 for 22 from 15 overs, with Neil Shirley taking 3 for 37 from 14. The innings ended after 42.5 overs and top score was extras.

A good start was vital for The Bourne and Frommholz bowled a superb line and length to account for the top three Dogmersfield batsmen. A stunning catch by Bowden removed the in-form Hindle, Rooke bowled Ed Smith and Dogmersfield were teetering at 33-4. Tim Shirley, Baker and Woods put up some resistance before Siebert entered the attack and the collapse began. Two careless run-outs helped Bourne towards victory, but young Parker continued to give his side hope. Rooke returned to the attack and bowled Parker for a good 30 and then, with 19 runs required from seven overs, young Gosden shouldered arms to a slower ball from Rooke which turned and bowled him.

Thursley's batting again let them down. The track was a good one and deserved a score in excess of 200, but they could only must 70 from 27 overs, against Cranleigh SA, with Tilson (a late arrival) making 13.

St Andrews held all their catches, while Crisp returned impressive figures of 3 for 8 in eight overs.

Any thoughts of Cranleigh coasting to an easy win were dispelled when they went in to tea at 50-5, Pilbeam having instigated a collapse with a superb return catch. Wells took 3 for 10 and Taylor held three catches to go with his two wickets, but a jittery Cranleigh, grateful for a vital innings by opener Greenwood, scraped home in an excellent game and hold second place in the table.

Ben Maxwell scored a classy 96 against champions Grayshott to earn Frensham the better part of a draw. Frensham, choosing to bat first on a good track, lost two early wickets to Schwick, but Maxwell settled in for the long haul and played some great dives and cuts against a Grayshott attack that flagged in the absence of Lindsey Clark, who missed the first hour of the game.

Matt Page gave great support with an unbeaten 57 and the visitors declared on 227-7 in 46 overs, Maxwell finally holing out after hitting three sixes in one over.

Wheble batted with his usual aggression before – not for the first time – being winkled out by Ray Clarke whose spell of 4 for 16 in 10 overs put Grayshott firmly on the back foot.

However, Ali Lindsey-Clark, able to concentrate on his batting, made a disciplined, match-saving 48 before Jon Green bowled him in his comeback over. Then it was left to Coleshill and Sobey to hang on for two points.

Lindford seemed to have done all the hard work after dismissing Wood Street for 106 on a hot afternoon. Howard and Wright looked comfortable, but the other batsmen toiled against some good bowling, particularly by Burt and Copplestone.

Lindford were left 52 overs to get the runs, but once Waller was out, it was always a struggle. C Bannister took four valuable wickets, but the key bowler was Kevin Haymon who, operating unchanged, claimed 6 for 39 from 23.5 accurate overs of spin – a superb performance. Lindford were all out for 95, just 12 short of victory.

Headley scored freely on a placid wicket at Fernhurst. After a good opening stand between Ashley Cook and Bate, the innings was dominated by Stan Pugh, while Dave Cook boosted the run-rate with a fast 48 not out. Headley made a midway declaration at 245-4, leaving Pugh stranded on 95 not out.

Fernhurst were never in the hunt, but their top order hung around long enough to frustrate the visitors in their push for victory. Melrose made 31, while Arend and Downham recorded the best bowling figures for Headley.