MILFORD have won some close games this season, but it was their turn to be on the wrong end of a very tight finish as Badshot Lea won the top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Put in to bat on a track that played very low, Milford laboured against the 'Lea opening attack, especially the miserly Knott, although it was Tim Gray who did most of the damage with 5 for 29 in 12.3 overs. The visitors, after the solid start given them by Milton and Goodship, were all out for 141 in 44 overs.

With opener Garfoot dropping anchor, Badshot Lea always had a chance. But the pace of Askew sparked a Milford fightback and although Rennie and Richards made important runs, it was a 'fiddly' innings by Haylock and streaky batting by the tail that saw 'Lea home with their last pair at the wicket.

Badshot Lea's confidence grows with every week that talisman Jon Tickle survives in the Big Brother house.

Other notable results included Chiddingfold's win over Kingsley and the first points of the season for Hindhead.

Chiddingfold and Kingsley were determined to keep their unbeaten records intact. The track was rock-hard and Kingsley made good progress early on, with Randall hitting 31. But a remarkable second spell from Gleave (5-26) and some fine reflex catching plucked out the middle and late order and the the visitors were all out for 90.

In the field, Kingsley showed why they have been moving up the table and some excellent bowling and catching took the game right to the wire. Chiddingfold were alive and kicking while Smart was in, but the middle order wilted under pressure and the target was looking distant. It was stand and deliver time for Chiddingfold, and the heroes were Talman (27 not out) and Ayling (24 not out) whose unbeaten ninth-wicket stand saw their side home in a great game of cricket.

Witley, choosing to bat first against visitors Hindhead, set a sporting target of 196-6 in 42 overs. Phil Wood batted throughout for 62 not out, with Barrow and Taylor scoring rapidly at the other end.

Hindhead, after losing two quick wickets to Dale, were up with the run-rate and at one stage looked like getting the runs, with opener Butcher (54) and Armstrong batting fluently. Armstrong was out with one ball to go, and last man Froom had to survive the final delivery to secure the draw.

On a good batting track, it was the bowlers who came out on top at Grayshott, with the ball swinging in the humid conditions. Although Deepcut started brightly, scoring 34 in quick time, the loss of both openers and a change in the Grayshott II bowling triggered a flurry of wickets, with Phil Judge hitting the stumps on each occasion. Mark and Mahesh offered some late resistance before Deepcut were finally all out in the 35th over for 105.

Grayshott lost their openers cheaply, but Graham Sampson then stabilised the innings with a knock of 42, well supported by the middle order. Huw Stephens saw Grayshott home in the 31st over, despite some good bowling by Ingham-Smith.

Wrecclesham, asked to bat by Frensham II, got off to a flyer, with Gardner and Lee bringing up the 100 in very quick time. Gardner batted sensibly for his 75 before falling to Cobb who then ran through the later batting to finish with a deserved 6 for 52.

Richardson and Waldon-Jones formed a lively opening pair for the visitors, but Breddy took the attack to Wrecclesham with a sublime 50. The game was still on a knife-edge as Charman and Williamson edged Frensham towards the target. But a typical six and a couple of fours from the powerful Williamson finally sealed victory against his old club.

Grayswood looked like putting their poor form behind them as Andy Gloak reduced Elstead to 12-3. However, Keith and Butt came together in a stand of 78 and then Pearse punished all the visiting bowlers with a hard-hitting 70 not out as Elstead recovered to total a healthy 209-5.

Grayswood never threatened the target and only a solid innings by Moore saved them from probable defeat. Kent and last man Nobes held out for a draw as Elstead failed to bowl at the stumps.