PEAK holiday time in the cricket season and the I’Anson threw up some strange results on a rainy Saturday, what with Witley beating Grayswood and leaders Puttenham crushing Grayshott by ten wickets.

Puttenham increased their lead in the process, with Blackheath having a bye, while Frensham closed the gap on the top two by winning at Headley.

Witley moved out of the bottom two with their exciting 13-run victory, this despite the efforts of Jon Ashworth. Grayswood called up the veteran all-rounder from the 2nd XI and Ashworth excelled by taking six wickets and scoring an unbeaten 41, albeit in a losing cause.

The game ultimately hinged on a sharp catch by Charlie Hunt to dismiss Alastair Gloak and a triple wicket-maiden from Kurt Lyall who claimed 5-29 in nine overs.

Ashworth, making his first appearance of the season in Division One, appeared to have set up a routine win for the home side after taking 6-37 in nine overs of left-arm spin, leaving Witley all out for 110.

It could have been worse. Iain Jackson reduced the visitors to 28-4 before being removed from the attack with figures of 6-4-9-4.

Ashworth took the other six wickets, but Witley’s late order rallied and Ben Dobson hit a vital 31, including five fours and a six, while adding 36 with number 10 Chris Munday.

Witley had something to bowl at and Lyall’s double strike with only 10 runs on the board put the pressure on Grayswood. Number 3 Ashworth held firm, but Hunt and Ollie Hickman took further wickets and the dismissal of skipper Gloak left his side teetering at 47-4.

While Ashworth was there, Grayswood had a chance, but Lyall returned to whip out Dave Handley, Cameron Kent and Ben Twyford in one over and, with no runs added, Hunt had last man Callan McIntyre caught by Will Burrill. Grayswood all out for 97, with Ashworth left stranded on 41 not out.

Grayshott, under-strength for their visit to Puttenham, were invited to bat by Aks Ilyas who then demolished the visitors on a helpful Heath wicket.

The Puttenham captain was at his lethal best and took 7-31 in 14 overs, hitting the stumps five times. Only Robbie Judge (20) stayed for long and Grayshott were dismissed for a paltry 57 in 30 overs.

James Andrews and Sajad Hussain knocked off the runs in 14 overs. Eight points to Puttenham who remain unbeaten and on course for a fourth I’Anson championship.

Headley were inserted on a wet wicket and Frensham opening bowlers Nick Cobbold and Jordan Frost made good use of the conditions, dismissing Stuart Smith, Harry Clarke and Gavin Arend in the first eight overs.

Marc Hawtin and Matt Clarke advanced the score to 48 before Jack Richards broke the stand. Clarke continued to bat positively and made top score of 33, but he lacked support and accurate bowling by Richards (5-26 in 10.1 overs) and Tim Knight (2-12 in 9) saw Headley dismissed for 91 in 42 overs.

Frensham started strongly, with George Breddy (36) driving handsomely, well supported by Alex Warren, and the visitors reached 55 in little more than 13 overs before the introduction of Smith brought two quick wickets.

Tom Charman then retired hurt after a rising delivery had forced its way between grill and helmet, and with leg-spinner Smith claiming two more victims, Frensham had effectively lost six wickets for 24 runs.

However, Adam Goulder and Frost saw their side home and Headley were left to ponder what might have been had they scored a few more runs and held all their catches.

Dogmersfield belied their bottom position in the table by amassing 278-5 in just 40 overs against Chiddingfold. But they failed to dismiss the visitors in the remaining 50 overs.

Short of bowlers, Chiddingfold were unable to contain Dogmersfield’s top six and the runs flowed. Sunny (70) and Nick Berridge (60 not out) were particularly severe on the bowlers and Chiddingfold seemed to have a stiff task to save the game.

In the event, they did it quite comfortably, thanks to important innings from Tony King (42) and Rob Smith (44). Tom Burdon and Ed Willis then steered their side to 202-6.

Wrecclesham called off their game with Tilford due to a rain-affected wicket.