PIRBRIGHT, after last week’s setback, scraped home by one wicket against Frensham II to increase their lead in I’Anson Division Two.

Lurgashall’s meagre two points at Shalford, meanwhile, opened the way for Elstead – winners at Harting – to press home their claim for promotion.

On a green-tinged wicket, Ian Milton, Rupert Howe and Aman Khan reduced Frensham II to 55-6 after 21 overs, but the visitors showed guts and resolve to total 133-9 in 48 overs, thanks largely to the experienced Dan Bixby, Adam Page (27 not out) and skipper Richard Chuter.

Pirbright lost a wicket in the first over and found themselves 63-6, with Awais Khan out for a fluent 40. Aman Khan and Luke Brereton took their side to a healthier 97-7, but Freddie Leighton’s fine boundary match to dismiss Brereton for 32 left Pirbright 126-9, eight runs from victory. Milton and Stuart Hailwood stayed calm and saw their side home, skipper Milton finishing an excellent game with a straight six.

Shalford recovered spectacularly after Lurgashall had them in trouble at 75-4, with Adam White (89) and skipper Dave Shilcock (83) sharing a superb fifth-wicket stand of 169 in 18 overs.

Lurgashall were set a formidable target of 257 in 45 overs and promptly lost a wicket in the first over. Oli Rose (67) and Nathan Kemp (57) then put on 107 in 20 overs. Juan Vorster removed both batsmen to give Shalford hope, but an important 38 not out from Dan Dillon-Thiselton steered the visitors to 232-7 and two points.

After last week’s notable win over Lurgashall, Harting were under-strength for their game with Elstead and lost by seven wickets. Rob Norris and Andy Wadey shared a good second-wicket stand, but Harting found it hard going against Moisin Ahmed (5-31) and Imran (4-26) and were bowled out for 90 in 41 overs. Elstead chased the runs down in just 14.2 overs, thanks to a quickfire 56 from opener Nathan Thomas.

Grayshott were comfortable winners of the 2nd XI local derby and Headley II are relegated as a result. Andy Lang (100 not out) took advantage of some wayward bowling to score a popular century, while Simon Whitley (42), Harrison Ward (77) and Chris Brophy (47) made fast runs at the other end. Grayshott declared on an intimidating 282-3, leaving Headley 46 overs to salvage a draw. After a good opening stand by Richard Jackson and Blake Hatt, they fought their way into the 39th over, but slow left-armer Ross Owen (5-23 in 13 overs) and fellow spinner Zac Rodber set up the victory and it was left to Lang to take the last wicket with his second ball.

Hindhead, inserted by The Bourne, batted steadily down the order to total 171-9 from 48 overs. Opener Joe Harrison batted particularly well for his 44, while Dhilip Lessly and Matt Du Gay bowled tidy spells for the visitors.

Matt Jeffs (4-33) and Harry Stokes ripped through Bourne’s top order. Alex Eeles and Mark Budd (24) put up some resistance, but once they were dismissed, David Babb and Stuart Woods polished off the tail and Bourne were dismissed for 106. Hindhead’s fielding was greatly improved.

Jon Richards made a fine 62, but the Grays, Tim and Ben, were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as Badshot Lea, put in by Fernhurst, were dismissed for 162. Once again, Fernhurst showed their batting strength as they knocked off the runs in 29 overs. Skipper Tristan Rissik, promoting himself to opener, made 40 and Leon Fourie top-scored with 44.