THE 12-team I’Anson Division Three has four weeks of fixtures to go and with two to go up and a likely three to go down (the division has to be cut to 10), there is still much to play for.

Blackheath II, Farncombe and Midhurst, the top three, were all winners on Saturday. Headley II and Dogmersfield appear doomed, while Harting have new hope after beating Bramley.

Shalford’s 101 all out (Graham Williams 26) was never likely to seriously test Blackheath II. Archie Freeth bowled with pace and control to record figures of 9-5-9-2. The home bowlers were unable to exploit variable bounce in the same way and Joe Davis hit a fast 45 not out to seal an eight-wicket victory for Blackheath inside 24 overs.

Uneven bounce also made life hard for batsmen in the match between Headley II and Midhurst. Good bowling by Ben Ryder-Smith (9-4-14-4) had Midhurst in trouble at 26-4, but Simon Lush (57) and Nathan Kemp (36) rebuilt the innings with a stand of 72. Lush added a further 50 with Adam Sharp (24) and Midhurst batted out their overs to finish on 177-8.

The score was soon put into perspective as Headley collapsed to 54-8, with Tom Creed (3-19) and Craig Edwards (4-8) bowling superbly. However, Richard Jackson and hard-hitting number 10 Tom Kiddey (46) made things more respectable with a stand of 62 and Headley fought their way to 118-9.

Farncombe openers Ryan Luff (43) and Matt Jaggard (38) rattled up 70 at Hindhead, but Arpan Painter (9-0-20-3) changed things with an excellent spell and it took a fine 44 not out from Sam Durrant to see the visitors to 164-5.

Hindhead opener Joe Harrison batted brilliantly while wickets fell regularly to a strong bowling attack, Lee Hudson being the pick with figures of 9-3-7-2. After hitting nine fours and a six, Harrison was last man out for 77 out of a total of 110 in 42.3 overs.

Not for the first time this season, Terry Wadey held Harting together and gave them a competitive total. Bramley opening bowlers Kapil Sangwan and Rory Brooks-Kent (4-22) and then Ali Holmes had the visitors in early difficulties, but Wadey held firm with 76 not out and a fine stand with Graham Nutting (30) helped Harting to 166.

The Wadey family had a good day. Andy and Jake took three wickets apiece and ten-man Bramley were bowled out for 100.

The Bourne’s 155 proved to be a winning score against a depleted Thursley. Matt Duncan (4-18) and Ed Garrett (3-24) did most of the damage and the visitors were dismissed for 112 (Hadi 30).