TILFORD II remain top of I’Anson Division Three, despite being held by Bramley, but hard on their heels are Brook who demolished unbeaten Thursley.

The old adage of catches win matches was never more apparent than at The Green where swing bowlers James Money and Dan Burstow had Tilford reeling on 24-4 after 15 overs. If Bramley had held their catches, the match could have been over by tea and it still nearly was as Tilford found themselves 62-7.

Enter Ben Matthews who, with great support from Jack Cantwell, proceeded to hit anything loose and the score moved to 126 before the youngster fell to Burstow. Matthews brought up his maiden I’Anson 50 and was last man out in the 48th over for 77 (10 fours) with the score now a decent 163.

Bramley had their own hero in Henry Turner who punished the bowlers while wickets tumbled at the other end. The visitors were 56-5 at one stage, but Tilford also spilled some catches. Jack Cantwell at last bowled Turner for 79 (12 fours) and took further wickets until Bramley were 124-9. This left James Renny and Money to survive five overs, which they did, including a dramatic last ball that took a leading edge and looped agonisingly over the man at short midwicket.

The Brook pitch was damp and patience was required from batsmen, but Thursley lacked that vital essential and slumped to 0-3 against Ollie Eccles and Shane Thompson, Eccles claiming the prize scalp of Keith Tilson. The visitors never recovered. Andy Stedman took some fine catches – the fielding in general was excellent – and Thursley crashed to 33 all out in 20 overs, with Thomson claiming 5-16 in ten overs.

Tom Williams and Toby Pheasant decided not to hang about and skipper Williams took 18 from the first over to show that the pitch contained no real demons. Rick Godfrey made the winning hit after an innings that lasted 3.5 overs.

Kingsley are marooned at the foot of the table after losing for the fifth time in six matches. Only Paul Boxford (57) and Nick Randall stood firm against the Tongham bowlers and the visitors were dismissed for 103. Tyler Carrington did most of the damage, taking 6-29 in ten overs.

Oli Cooper gave his side hope by taking two wickets with only three runs on the board, but Warren Vass (29) and that man Tyler Carrington (38) put on 70, leaving Liam Gadd and Mark Andrews to complete a comfortable win.

Grayshott III suffered a rare batting failure and were dismissed for 67 by Wood Street at the Broxhead ground. Toby Joyce hit a defiant 21 as Jake Slyfield ripped through the batting with 6-19 in 10.3 overs. A good opening partnership by Dan Saunders (25) and Liam Binfield (20) ensured a Wood Street victory before Julian Oosthuizen caused a hiccup by taking three quick wickets.

Dogmersfield II notched up their first win of the season after skittling out Peper Harow for 45 in 19 overs. Jamal was the chief destroyer with 5-15. Opener Khan then struck a rapid 32 not out as the visitors completed an eight-wicket victory.

Blackheath II had victory in their sights after amassing 221-9 in 43 overs against Frensham III. Richard Gray (64) and Fred Martin-Dye shared a big stand for the second wicket, while Adam Page showed his experience with a probing spell of spin, taking 4-24 in 12 overs.

Frensham never threatened to win, but seldom looked like losing, thanks to an opening stand by Richard Champneys and Charlie Robertson and then a determined knock from skipper Alex Peers. After 47 overs, the visitors were 120-7.