I’ANSON Division Three leaders Tilford II crushed Bramley by 135 runs in the top-of-the-table clash at The Green.

In-form Bramley, determined to dent their opponents’ unbeaten record, opted to bowl first, but Tilford have got used to the losing the toss and ran up another big total on a decent track. Tom McKay, promoted to opener, had an early let-off and made it count as he and debutant Sajjad Murtaza put on 134 for the second wicket.

After Murtaza was caught for a fine 77, Johnny Barran continued his good form with a composed 35. McKay was unluckily run out for 49 in a mix-up, but Hugo Young weighed in with 43 and Tilford closed on 250-7 from 45 overs.

Bramley lost a quick wicket to a Matt Bozier yorker, but still raced to 30 off six overs before Ben Matthews struck twice in an over. A 50 partnership between Henry Turner (40) and James Renny (26) restored the momentum, but the introduction of Barran and Martin Cantwell stemmed the flow of runs and Barran dismissed both batsmen.

Rick Austin and Martin Knott mopped up the tail and with the last five wickets falling for just 13 runs, Bramley were dismissed for 115. Ten out of ten now for Tilford.

Headley II had the better of their derby match with Grayshott III, but were unable to take the final wicket. The pace/spin combination of Julian Oosthuizen and Ross Owen had Headley in early difficulties and Oosthuizen found an absolute peach to bowl Charlie Neville. With three wickets down, veteran opener Richard Jackson was joined by George Worman who took the attack to the change-bowlers and completed a maiden league half-century. Jackson also reached 50 and with Ian Neville and Charlie Worman having some fun towards the end, Headley declared at 209-6 after 46 overs.

The Wormans then removed Grayshott’s openers, but the contrasting styles of Toby Joyce and Harry Hannam got the score moving. Wickets fell, however, and when the aggressive Owen was bowled by Andy Coutts for 33, Headley had the scent of victory. Mike Hughes claimed two victims and then Charlie Neville struck twice in an over to leave Headley three overs to take the last wicket. Brayshaw and Alexander stayed calm and played out time in a well-fought game.

Puttenham II inserted Milford on a good track and a quickfire 30 from Darren Brierton and then a fine partnership between Matt Jones (49) and Mick Payne (55) set the visitors up for a large total. But the loss of Jones and the bizarre running out of Payne changed things and good bowling by Ben Plant (5-48) and Paul Crouch forced Milford to bat out 48 overs for their total of 187. Veteran Crouch took 4-28 in 13 tight overs.

Puttenham replied steadily, but lost wickets at key times as they tried to force the pace. However, useful contributions from opener Kevin Mansell 29, Ed Sewell (29) and Liam Harrison, with an unbeaten 35, secured the winning draw at 167-8. Will Crumbie and Josh Jones took three wickets apiece. Honours even, really.

Grayswood II bounced back from defeat with a five-wicket win at home to Dogmersfield II. Callan McIntyre, after his superb 160 not out last week, this time shone as a bowler, ripping through Dogmersfield’s top order with 5-27 in 12 overs. Mansoor Bashir dug in with 22 before being bowled by Rob Rist and the visitors were dismissed for 93.

Grayswood reached tea without loss and were 51-1 when Chris Locke departed for 29. They then slipped to 63-5 against Russ Cains and Bashir, but a flurry of boundaries from Anirban Roy (20 not out) saw Grayswood home in the 21st over.

The wicket proved a paradise for batsmen and a graveyard for bowlers as Blackheath II and Kingsley scored a combined 489 runs for the loss of five wickets. Kingsley must have been confident of at least avoiding defeat after amassing 243-3 in 48 overs and it was a day to remember for opener Nick Booth who batted throughout for 121 not out, ably supported by Paul Boxford (59 not out).

But the visiting bowlers were in turn hammered as Fred Martin-Dye and Ian Nolan gave Blackheath a flying start. Martin-Dye and Ron Sibley (59) raised the pace another few notches and Martin-Dye was undefeated on 127 when Blackheath powered to victory with nearly four overs to spare.

Peper Harow’s slide continued as they lost by three wickets at Wood Street. Richard Peplow (40) and Steve Bradley (33) gave the visitors a fine start, but the wheels fell off against the change-bowlers, notably Henry Vincent who ended the innings with a burst of 4-7 in 4.1 overs.

Needing 124 for victory, Wood Street made brisk progress, but also lost wickets steadily. A good 43 from Williams set up the win and with seven wickets down, Archie Chudley and Vincent saw their side home.