PUTTENHAM began a productive weekend by taking maximum points against Grayswood to consolidate their lead in the I’Anson Division One.

But they found it tough going against the Grayswood bowlers and their unbeaten record looked in danger after the home team were dismissed for 153, Matty Hussain top-scoring with 29 and Iain Jackson taking 3-28 in 14 accurate overs.

However, Puttenham back their bowlers to deliver and again they did the business, notably skipper Aks Ilyas who took 4-20 in 12 overs, well backed up by Saeed Ahmed (3-17) and Ahsan Ahmed (3-16). Grayswood’s strong top five were blown away for 11 runs and they were dismissed for 63 in 31 overs – the lowest total for many a season by the two-time champions.

Struggling Headley could only hope for a draw after second-placed Blackheath had amassed 231-5 in 40 overs, with half-centuries for captain Peter Melhuish (69) and Alex Bertola who is fast finding his feet in the top division. The former Hindhead all-rounder hit a very rapid 65 not out, including six fours and three sixes.

Headley started well enough, but Dallas McDermott broke the back of the innings with 4-28 in 14 overs and the visitors were bowled out for 123 in 37 overs. Stuart Smith and Marc Hawtin both made 28.

Chiddingfold lost the in-form Matt Wright cheaply after being inserted at Tilford and four more wickets fell for only 15 runs. Slow bowler Guy Wilson took three wickets in his first two overs and Chiddingfold crumbled to 96 all out in the 41st over, with opener Simon Schollar making 23.

Tilford, too, were in trouble at 46-4, Stuart Divers claiming two wickets, but opener Andy Hall Hall, playing his first league match of the season, gradually accelerated and an unbroken partnership of 53 with Mark Ramesar settled the outcome. Hall Hall hit the winning runs to finish 59 not out from 87 balls (13 fours). Not bad for starters.

Batting remains a major weakness for Witley’s spirited young side as they struggle to get going in the top flight. Choosing to bat first against Frensham, they stuttered to 25-6 before a mini recovery by James Hill and Ben Dobson helped the total to a meagre 57. Tim Knight took 4-10, while Jordan Frost’s seven overs contained five maidens.

Frensham lost a wicket in the second over, but James Wood and Tom Charman quickly put the final touches to an early victory.

Dogmersfield opened up a gap between themselves and the bottom two with a comprehensive victory over a very poor Wrecclesham side.

The home team reached 13 without loss, but were then skittled out for 41 in 17 overs by the hostile Shinwari (6-25) and very accurate Malik (4-13).

Dogmersfield knocked off the runs in 10.3 overs (Yassir Hussain 23 not out).