THERE were no winners in I’Anson Division Three, but five points from a draw was enough to send Brook to the top of the table for the first time.

Blackheath II inserted Brook and the home side were only too happy to oblige as they amassed 256-3 in only 34 overs. Openers Tom Williams and Toby Pheasant put on 60 before falling to Marco Rollandelli in quick succession, but this only brought Tom Smith (49) and Paul Challinor together in a stand of 75.

Challinor, the former Harlequins fly-half, then shared an unbroken partnership of 116 with Robin Hudson (37 not out) and was 105 not out when Brook called a halt.

Although five overs were lost to rain, Blackheath were still left 51 and their chances of avoiding defeat looked slim at 84-6 after 24 overs.

However, Terry Brockman and Anthony Coombes staged a very determined partnership and batted through the remaining 27 overs to frustrate the Brook bowlers. The defiant duo steered Blackheath to 138-6 and two points.

Tilford II were edged off top spot after a low-scoring draw at Thursley. In difficult conditions, Thursley, electing to bat, managed 101 all out in 36.4 overs. Opener Robert Williams top-scored with 25 and runs were hard-earned against the six bowlers used by the visitors. Skipper Martin Cantwell was the most successful, taking 3-10 in 7.4 accurate overs.

Tilford were soon fighting a rearguard battle and looked to be heading for defeat as Liam Larby (9-4-11-4) ripped out the middle order. Richard Hargreaves (28) and Chris Elerker rescued their side and then Martin Knott supported Elerker as Tilford battled to 83-8 in 42 overs.

Grayshott III could not quite finish off bottom side Kingsley at Broxhead. Put in on a wet track, Grayshott were in deep trouble at 36-6. A captain’s innings was required and Neil Sampson provided it. Supported by Toby Joyce and Nick Fenton, Sampson completed his third 50 of the season and played some cracking shots before finally falling to Nick Randall with the total on 121. Adam Robinson (9-2-27-4) was the pick of the bowlers.

Dylan Hood (13-5-19-4) and Nick Ryall (11-4-26-4) bowled fine spells in reply and Grayshott were only denied victory by the vastly experienced Randall who refused to give his wicket away and only gave one half-chance in an innings of 34 not out. Kingsley just hung on at 99-9.

Bramley and Frensham III defied the rain with the help of a plastic tarpaulin to play a decent game. Bramley’s top four were all in the runs and Ben Lewis completed an unbeaten half-century as the home side posted 194-4 in 40 overs.

The total was beyond Frensham, but they also batted consistently and Dan Bixby missed his 50 by just three runs in a respectable 151-6 in 38 overs. James Money proved his worth with 5-48 in 11 overs.

Dogmersfield II v Wood Street; Tongham v Peper Harow – both abandoned.