A TYPICALLY competitive I’Anson Division Two encounter between Frensham II and Lurgashall saw the advantage continually move either way.

Invited to bat, Frensham were quickly in trouble against the penetrative bowling of Marchant and Clark and, at 72-5, a decent total seemed unlikely. However, John Turnbull and young Ben Harrison staged an excellent recovery, putting on 105 before Harrison fell just short of his fifty.

Adam Page helped keep the momentum going in a stand of 40 and Turnbull reached a well-crafted century which included 18 fours and two sixes. Frensham made a halfway declaration on 227-7.

Lurgashall, although scoring at a good rate, looked unlikely winners at 74-5 and then 93-6. Scott Evans and Drew Clark added a useful 45, but Frensham had the scent of victory at 138-7. But with Evans solid in defence and quick to dispatch anything loose and Ben Homewood immediately going on the attack, Lurgashall had other ideas. Homewood was brutal and launched a series of huge sixes to all parts of Hollowdene.

At the start of the 42nd over, the visitors still needed 23 runs. Homewood then hit 28 (a four and four sixes) off the over to win the match in style. He finished 55 not out and Evans was unbeaten on 72 after a match-winning partnership of 95.

Pirbright celebrated the championship in style with an easy win over a nine-man Headley II. Awais Khan took advantage to score a century, while Aman Khan was dropped four times on his way to 55. Headley stuck to their guns. Algie Trotman and Ian Neville each took two wickets, while Aidan Cuthell claimed a wicket and held a catch on his 2nd XI debut. However, Pirbright were rarely stretched and piled up 255-6 in 42 overs.

Ian Milton took a wicket with the first ball of Headley’s innings. Charlie Neville batted nicely for 21 and was unlucky to be bowled as the ball trickled onto his stumps. Pirbright used all their bowling options to work their way through the depleted line-up and Headley were dismissed for 60 in the 21st over.

A disappointing season for Hindhead ended with a sound home defeat to Badshot Lea. Electing to bat, the visitors racked up an imposing 232-1 in 40 overs and the star of the show was hard-hitting Ben Gray who batted throughout for a brilliant 159 not out. Fellow opener Sam Dixon made 57 before being stumped by Darren Carter off Ben Thorne.

Hindhead scored steadily while losing wickets regularly to good bowling from Dan Addison and, in particular, Matt Bent (4-26 in 13 overs). Matt Jeffs (43), Chris Stokes (33) and Jack Hamilton all batted well, but the normally reliable lower order failed and Hindhead were all out for 143.

Elstead, after winning an important toss, bowled and fielded well to dismiss Shalford for 136 in the 42nd over. Moisin (4-24 in 12 overs), Rehman and Zeeshan were all difficult to get away and Kevin Rogers was top scorer with 27.

Elstead had no such problem and savaged the normally economical Shalford attack. Ahmed and Dave Tye both hit fast half-centuries and Elstead raced to victory in less than 20 overs.

The Bourne never really recovered after losing both their openers to Kiaran Wells for ducks. Dave Stone (28) and Andy Bowden (34) shared a decent stand, but a late-order collapse to Andy Lang and Ross Owen left Grayshott II needing just 117 for victory.

Mark Budd bowled a good spell and, once again, Grayshott relied heavily on the experienced Richard Baker. His watchful 53 not out saw his team to a five-wicket win.