FRENSHAM II recorded a dramatic last-ball win against Grayshott II in an absorbing I’Anson Division Two opener.

The home side’s innings was dominated by a fine second-wicket stand of 132 between George Breddy and Tim Knight, both batting with patience and restraint against tidy Grayshott bowling, especially from Andy Lang who conceded only six runs in seven overs.

Dylan Hood was the pick of the bowlers, clean-bowling four middle-order batsmen, but Breddy’s stylish 76 not out, plus a gift of 40 extras, ensured a decent total of 178-6 at halfway.

Grayshott made brisk progress and at 76-1 from 20 overs, were in an excellent position. Paul Scanlon looked in good form until Ben Maxwell found the edge and Sam Farncombe took a brilliant catch at first slip.

Slow bowlers Maxwell, Ray Clarke and Knight made scoring difficult, but all the time Richard Baker was playing the anchor role, Grayshott were very much in the game. However, Clarke eventually removed Baker for 46, Knight took a good caught and bowled, and some sharp fielding resulted in three run-outs.

Grayshott needed to survive the last eight overs with numbers 10 and 11 at the crease, and they looked to be playing out time with some ease until Adam Goulder clipped the top of leg-stump to dismiss Dom Ford off the very last ball of the game. An excellent match, played in a competitive but good spirit.

Headley II just held out for a draw against The Bourne. Neil Poulter (43) and Russ Golding (50) found some early-season form and The Bourne posted 166-9 in 45 overs, with George Worman and Zak Benstead amongst the wickets and Mike Hughes bowling 14 very accurate overs.

Headley never threatened a run-chase and although Richard Jackson took them to 50-2, it was left to the final pair of Algie Trotman and Hughes to play out the last four overs and secure two points.

Hindhead, inserted by Harting, were handily placed at 137-3, with opener Joe Harrison making a well-controlled 69. However, a typical Hindhead collapse followed as the last seven wickets fell for 27 runs and they were all out for 165 in the 41st over. Jordan Bates took 5 for 43 from 13.4 overs.

Harting cruised to the target, assisted by some indifferent bowling and fielding. By the time opener Rob Norris was dismissed for a hard-hitting 78, the visitors were 106-2 and the eight-wicket victory was completed by Tom O’Kelly (57 not out) and Bates in an unbeaten partnership of 60.

Shalford, last year’s Division Three champions, could muster only nine men against relegated Pirbright, but battled to 100 all out. Reliable opener Peter Unsworth made 48 and the home side were 72-2 at one stage, despite Pirbright’s tight bowling and keen fielding.

Openers James Thompson (46) and O’Donnell (44) did most of the work as Pirbright won comfortably by eight wickets.

Cowell ripped through Lurgashall’s top order with 6 for 21 in 14 overs and the home side were shot out for 63 in 30 overs. Promoted Fernhurst required just nine overs to knock off the runs, with opener Nick Jackman racing to 47 not out.

Elstead began life in Division Two with an easy win against Badshot Lea. Pankai Khuley made 56 at the top of the order as the home side totalled 180 all out. Tamil and Sam Acres bowled well for Lea, but the visitors failed with the bat against Moisin and Lewis Sheppard, who both took 4 for 12. Badshot Lea were dismissed for just 67.