BADSHOT Lea notched up their second I’Anson Division Two win of the season in impressive style.

Headley II began steadily after being put in and the run-rate accelerated when Blake Hatt took on the pacey Matt Bent, launching him into the tennis courts more than once. However, wickets fell regularly and it took a patient 36 from Peter Jones to get the visitors up to 154 as Tim and Ben Gray rattled through the late order.

Hassan Raza was harsh on the bowlers when Badshot Lea replied and Ben Gray was the perfect foil as the pair raced to a century stand. With the score on 123, Gray fell for a fine 41, while Raza powered to 93 not out, hitting eight fours and five sixes, and steering Badshot Lea home in 29 overs.

Grayshott II inserted Harting and Alex Marden and Dylan Hood snapped up a wicket apiece before Andy Lang came on and picked up the prize scalp of Rob Norris, caught behind for 27. Lang (3-30) and Dom Ford (5-31) bowled unchanged for the rest of the innings and their accuracy was too much for Harting. Dean Jones made a rapid 19, but the Sussex side were all out for a modest 102.

Grayshott reached 65-2 after bright knocks by Will Kriehn and Lang (32). Richard Baker saw Grayshott home with a solid 22 not out, supported nearly to the end by Paul Marden.

Hindhead were much improved as they held high-flying Elstead to a draw. The home team were immediately put under the cosh by hard-hitting Australian Nathern Thomas who shared a quickfire opening partnership with Lewis Sheppard. The wily Lance Thorne accounted for Thomas, but Elstead batted consistently and a half-century by Dave Tye enabled them to declare at 226-6 after 41 overs.

Hindhead struggled early on against one of the best attacks in the division. However, opener Joe Harrison and Ben Thorne batted sensibly and built a fine partnership of 116 before Lewis Sheppard broke through. With 75 needed off nine overs, Hindhead promoted their big-hitters, but without success, and had to settle for two points on 185-5. Harrison mixed resolute defence with elegant driving to finish unbeaten on 89, having batted the full 49 overs – a great effort.

Pirbright recorded a fourth straight victory, their embarrassed victims being The Bourne who, chasing 186, were skittled out for 47. The home side bowled well enough, with Andy Rooke putting in a shift and taking 3-31 in his full 14 overs. Pirbright were 77-5 at one stage, but James Thompson made a half-century, while Ali Hancock marshalled the tail with 42.

Bourne’s batting looked strong on paper, but Ian Milton (5-11) and Aman Khan (4-15) wreaked havoc as they shared nine wickets in 14 overs, winning four lbw decisions. Matt Duncan hit 19 not out before the final wicket fell in the 16th over.

Lurgashall scored heavily, but the final wicket eluded them when Frensham II replied. The visitors’ bowling posed few problems for Lurgashall and Aaron Carter, Ollie Pearce and Nathan Kemp all hit attacking fifties, enabling a halfway declaration at 243-6.

Frensham looked in no trouble as they eased to 170-3, with James Frost and Leon Ellen putting on 104. But both went in quick succession, former Lindford player Ellen making 80, and with Aaron Evans and Pearce ripping through the late order, Frensham were hanging on at 189-9.

Shalford registered their first win in this division, beating fellow promoted side Fernhurst by 85 runs. Shalford’s top order delivered the goods and they looked to be heading for a massive total after fine innings by Adam White (71), Peter Unsworth (48) and Bryan Winson (46). Fernhurst came back well, but were left to chase 217 in 44 overs.

Ashley Holloway (35), Mike Allen (29) and skipper Tristan Rissik (35) all got going, but failed to go on to a match-winning innings. Dave Shilcock and Ravipati shared seven wickets and Dave Rowe grabbed 2-0 to end the game in the 36th over. Fernhurst all out for 132.