BROOK and Fernhurst strengthened their grip at the top of I’Anson Division Two, both winning on Saturday, while Elstead moved into third place after beating Badshot Lea.

Elstead, choosing to bat first, were consistent all down the order, but it was a late assault by Zeeshan (63 not out off 50 balls) and number 10 Moisin Ahmed that sent the total rocketing to 265.

It proved well beyond the reach of Badshot Lea. Raziq Khan hit a defiant 60, but Hammad Butt, Ajaz and Moisin bowled Elstead to a convincing win.

Harting, true to form, elected to bat at Brook, but after a solid start by Jordan Bates and Terry Wadey, the visitors were bowled out for a modest 120, with Jonathan King and Paul Challinor sharing eight economical wickets.

Book had a few hiccups against the Wadeys, Archie and Jake. After the dismissal of opener Charlie Warburton for 31, it was the old firm of Challinor and King who made sure of a four-wicket victory for the unbeaten leaders.

Fernhurst were inserted by Tongham and, remarkably, the five batsmen called into action – Mark Charman, Mike Allen, Nick Jackman, James Johnson and George Reynolds – all went past 40.

The home side declared at a formidable 236-3 and at first threatened to make short work of Tongham’s reply. But Scott Meyer (64) and Tyler Carrington (59) shared a fine partnership before falling to Bruce Baxendale who took 5-64. Ryan Lewis (5-38) returned to shoot out the tail and Tongham were dismissed for 196.

The most spectacular innings of the day came at Thursley. A late 30 not out from Sam Stone, plus 32 extras, gave Shalford’s total some respectability and the home side were set 153 to win.

But Thursley made short work of the target, thanks to a brutal 67 not out from Sags Malik. Incredibly, 60 of his runs were scored in sixes – all straight ones as well. He also hit a four and three singles – grudgingly walked.

Hindhead decided to bat first against Frensham II and Joe Harrison and David Babb shared a steady opening partnership. But Babb’s dismissal to Andy Kamm sparked a collapse. Adam Goulder ripped through the top order, clean-bowling three batsmen, and then slow bowlers Adam Page and Jack Blythe took charge and there was no support for Harrison as the lower order folded.

Hindhead were dismissed for 96 and it would have been a lot worse but for number 1 Harrison who carried his bat for an excellent 53 not out off 99 balls, including nine fours. Page finished with 4-25 in nine overs.

Stuart Woods and the impressive Ed Ince picked up a wicket apiece before tea to keep Hindhead’s hopes alive, but Richard Champneys (31) and John Turnbull (26) were watchful on the resumption and picked off any bad balls. By the time they fell to Harry Stokes and Matt Jeffs respectively, Frensham were close to victory and Brad Van Bylevelt and Harvey Herrington saw the visitors home by six wickets, with plenty of overs to spare.

Grayshott II had the better of a drawn game at The Bourne. The tail wagged vigorously (Rob Gregory 37, Ravi Sriharan 29) as Grayshott posted 214 all out.

The third-wicket pair of Rob Croucher (70) and Joe More (59) put Bourne in a strong position, but their challenge faltered against Andy Lang and Sriharan (3-52) and the home side only just held out at 175-9.