IT was Grayswood’s turn to take the lead in this fluctuating start to the I’Anson Division ?One season as Puttenham inflicted a first defeat of the season on Frensham.

Grayswood elected to field at Witley and it looked a good decision when the home side were 5-2 after six overs. A partnership of 53 between Alex Cook and Ollie Hickman steadied things before Cook fell in the 28th over.

Hickman top-scored with 31 and in a late spurt, Witley took 52 off the final eight overs (Jono Hill 22 off 13 balls) to finish 140 all out. Cameron Kent was the stand-out bowler with 6-40 in 13.2 overs.

Grayswood, in turn, began badly, losing two wickets in Hickman’s first over. The big-hitting pair of Jaspreet Singh and Andy Major moved the total rapidly to 47 before another double strike from that man Hickman in the tenth over brought the home side back into contention.

At 62-6 and then 103-8, an upset was definitely on the cards, but a fine 38 not out from Iain Jackson and a ninth-wicket stand of 41 with James Oram helped Grayswood over the line. The impressive Hickman finished with 5-40 from his 14 overs, while Charlie Hunt held three good catches in the outfield.

Frensham, 96-2 at one stage, collapsed to 125 all out as Puttenham showed their championship potential. Invited to bat at The Heath, Frensham were put in a strong position by the second-wicket pair of George Breddy (33) and James Wood (52), but both fell to Ahsan Ahmed and then the Hussains worked their through the middle and late order as runs slowed to a trickle. The visitors batted into the 48th over, but Puttenham were left ample time to score 126 for victory.

Jordan Frost quickly bowled James Crouch, but Sajad Hussain went on the attack and his fast 43, containing eight fours and a six, put Puttenham on course for victory. Frensham plugged away and, at 117-6, the home side still had a bit to do. The experienced John Crouch and skipper Aks Ilyas saw Puttenham home without further loss.

Blackheath opener Rob Parrott played an outstanding innings at Wrecclesham. The pitch was spiteful for batting and Parrott’s masterful 65 settled the match in the champions’ favour.

Blackheath, going for maximum points, chose to bat on what was always going to be a seamer’s paradise and a batsman’s nightmare. Mitch Brown dismissed Will Melhuish in the first over with a ball that jagged back. Peter Melhuish then gave resilient support to Parrott who, batting with courage and great skill, reached his half-century out of only 59 runs scored. The partnership of 74 effectively won the game.

It took the introduction of Dominic Lion and Dan Vasey to get Blackheath on the run. Lion clean-bowled Melhuish and the last eight wickets fell for only 49 more runs. Bowling very tightly, Vasey and Lion between them took seven wickets for 69 in 23 overs. Graham Larby chipped in with 2-0 in nine balls and Blackheath were all out for 123 in 35 overs.

It soon looked a very good score indeed. Rob Weston (3-12 in 6 overs) struck in the first over and he and Danny Harrison (5-12 in 6) proceeded to blitz their way through Wrecclesham’s line-up. Blackheath finally met some resistance from the ninth-wicket pair of Ben Pound and Dave Byett before Ben Taylor wrapped up the game. Wrecclesham all out for 43 in 17 overs.

Grayshott were denied maximum points as Tilford hung on in fading light. Put in to bat, Grayshott reached 52 without loss before Andy Wheble and Matt Haywood (34) both fell to first-change Ben Matthews in the space of three balls.

James Cavannagh (33) and Will Kriehn, who struck 51 off 45 balls, followed up with a partnership of 71. Both were dismissed by Huw Town-Jones in his second spell and Grayshott declared on a hard-earned 177-7 from 47 overs.

Tilford were immediately on the back foot – both openers bowled with nine runs on the board – and Grayshott’s young bowlers reduced the visitors to a perilous 48-5. But Tilford again showed resilience as Denis Hounsham (38 not out) and Brandon Ambrose (32) put on 55 in a defiant stand.

Mark Richards finally broke through, but the pair had done enough to save the game, Tilford ending on 134-7 from their 43 overs.

Dogmersfield were in early difficulties against the Chiddingfold attack of Paul Hundley and Nick Ayling. The Maliks led a recovery and it was continued by Mansoor Bashir and the late order. The visitors eventually totalled 149. Hundley took 5-31 in 12.1 overs and spinner Ben Evans chipped in with two good wickets.

It was a competitive total and Chiddingfold needed someone to play a substantial innings. Step forward Matt Barnett who made a vital 60 not out against good bowling. Nick Harman and Ayling gave late support as Barnett steered Chiddingfold to their first win of the season.