WITH Tilford II, runaway leaders of I’Anson Division Three, not playing, Blackheath II beat Puttenham II to move into second place above Bramley who could only draw with Dogmersfield II.

Basement side Puttenham totalled a respectable 162-8 in 48 overs against an accurate attack, but Blackheath required only 30 overs to get the runs, Ron Sibley setting the pace with 59.

Dogmersfield had the better of a draw after amassing 236-7 declared. Khush Subhani played a captain’s innings of 78 not out, while Arjun Lakhani bowled well for his 3-46 in 10 overs. Ali Holmes and Nick Hyett both scored half-centuries in reply, but Bramley’s challenge faltered against Saleem and Jamal and they only just clung on at 207-9.

Milford had a torrid afternoon at Wood Street as the home side plundered 278-5 in a mere 35 overs. Opener Craig Williams made 65, but the real fireworks were provided by Inzy Azeem who came in at number 6 and blasted 115 not out.

Matt Jones (37) and Ross Ferguson (35) put up a fight for a shell-shocked Wood Street, but they were dismissed for 149 in 32 overs, with that man Azeem taking 3-5.

First-teamer Cameron Kent turned out for Grayswood II and found batting form with a bang, hitting a brutal 158 off 88 balls against Peper Harow. Supported by skipper Tom White (45) in a century stand, Kent struck 25 fours and four sixes, enabling the home side to declare at 295-9 off 43 overs.

But Peper Harow were in no mood to roll over. Steve Bradley and Nathan Swansborough (51) put on 99 for the second wicket and then Sohail Ahmed and Bradley made victory a real possibility. However, Rob Rist finally bowled Ahmed for 59. Bradley fell in the last over for a fine 91 and Peper Harow finished on 256-5 after a spirited effort.

A difficult pitch made for an exciting game as Headley II beat Kingsley in the final over, Charlie Neville producing a fizzing leg-spinner which Mark Broadmeadow could only push into the waiting hands of George Worman. Headley, despite some fine new-ball bowling by Nick Randall and Oli Cooper, battled to 151-9 off 48 overs, thanks to important knocks from Dom Johnson (31), George Worman (29) and Richard Jackson (28). Randall, remarkably, reeled off nine maidens in his first 11 overs, while Oli Cooper took 5-30 in 14.

Graham Badland claimed four quick wickets when Kingsley replied, including the key wicket of Randall, and finished with 5-30 in 14 overs. However, Paul Boxford played an outstanding knock in tricky conditions and reached 67 before being caught by Mike Hughes off Zac Benstead, leaving the stage clear for Neville to win the game at the death.