PIRBRIGHT’S perfect record at the top of I’Anson Division Two was ended by a powerful Grayshott 2nd XI.

On a run of ten straight wins, Pirbright found themselves up against a distinctly quick attack in the shape of Mark Richards and Alex Marden, but James Thompson and Awais Khan put on 41 and it was Cameron Oosthuizen who made the breakthrough.

Khan stood firm to make 43, but Richards returned to take three key wickets and although they batted out their 48 overs, Pirbright had to be satisfied with 135-9.

Grayshott lost one stalwart, Simon Whitley, cheaply, but two other veterans, Andy Lang and Richard Baker, added a vital 46 runs. Ian Roberts and Baker then took their side to within eight runs of victory, but a dramatic slump to Rupert Howe (4-39) left Grayshott 130-8, still needing six runs.

Two clean hits from the confident Richards settled a hard-fought contest, played in a good spirit.

Ollie Pearce stole the show with an innings of 94 as Lurgashall kept a firm grip on second place by beating Fernhurst. Skipper Aaron Carter and Drew Clark gave the visitors a strong start, but Lurgashall then relied heavily on Pearce as Josh Allen and Bruce Baxendale worked their way through the batting with four wickets apiece. Darren Hodd gave Pearce staunch support and Lurgashall finished 217 all out in 45 overs.

Leon Fourie (45), Mike Allen (30) and Mark Charman (30) put Fernhurst in a good position, but then Dan Dillon-Thiselton caused a collapse and the home side never really recovered. Dillon-Thiselton took 6-37 in ten teasing overs and Fernhurst, always chasing, were all out for 172.

Frensham II drew with Badshot Lea in a competitive encounter. Lea opener Ben Gray was aggressive from the start and, having survived a couple of sharp chances, went on to make 69. Jon Richards and Raziq Khan scored well in the middle order and the visitors posted 228-9 from 48 overs. Fenton Ramsahoye (5-36) and Adam Page (4-48) were the pick of the bowlers.

John Wallace (46) and John Turnbull (37) rebuilt Frensham’s innings after a bad start with a stand of 80. Andy Gardner kept the chase going, but the return of Raziq Khan (5-33) ended Frensham’s chances of victory and they closed on 154-8.

Headley II lost to Hindhead in the basement battle. Matt Jeffs was the key figure for Hindhead, taking 6-23 off 14 overs and restricting Headley to 128-9 off 45 overs, with Ian Neville making 39.

Hindhead openers Joe Harrison and Darren Carter weathered a fine opening spell by George Worman and their gritty partnership of 101 clinched a morale-boosting win. Carter was first to his half-century and Harrison also reached 50 before he finally gave the persevering bowlers a wicket.

Harting had to be content with the high-scoring draw after coming within two runs of victory at Shalford. Electing to bat, Shalford were 83-6 at one stage, but Alastair George (48) and Jack Quest (34 not out) nearly doubled the score and the home side batted out 48 overs for a decent total of 169-8.

Harting, after a bright start, looked to be heading for defeat as Bryan Winson (3-16) and Dave Shilcock got amongst the wickets. Simon Kyte and Harry Pickett stopped the rot and their partnership looked to be winning the match. Both then got out, but Graham Nutting and Olly Simpson almost pulled it off for the Sussex side who ended their 42 overs on 168-8.