ALL change again in Division?Three as Brook, having taken the lead for the first time last week, suffered a surprise defeat away to Wood Street.

Tilford II beat Tongham to regain top spot, while Thursley, also promotion candidates, were held to a draw by Frensham III.

Martin Cantwell made the bold decision to bat first and he and Gavin Nesbitt took Tilford II to 79-1 off 18 overs. At 112-3, Tilford were looking good, but then Tongham skipper Liam Gadd brought himself on and took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick, to leave the home side reeling at 114-7. However, the experienced pair of John Hunt and Martin Knott steadied things and Hunt completed a fine half-century before being last man out on 163. Gadd, after his lethal burst, finished with 5-21 in nine overs.

Tongham also started brightly and were well placed at 66-2 after 15 overs. A double bowling change brought a rush of wickets for Knott and Ben Matthews, and when Knott removed the dangerous Tyler Carrington for 24, the visitors were 101-5 with 20 overs still to play.

Rick Austin snapped up two wickets in one over, but the visitors continued to accumulate runs and had reached 144-8 when Will Latham returned to claim his third wicket. Finally, skipper Cantwell held a sharp return catch to clinch the 10 points.

Only ten overs were lost to rain at Wood Street, but the pitch cut up badly later in the day and Brook’s decision to bat second backfired on them. The Wood Street batsmen applied themselves well, especially Hamish Chudley (24) and Tom?Smethurst (24) in the middle order. Paul Challinor removed them both during a spell of 3-6 in nine overs and the total of 114-9 left Brook 32 overs to get the runs.

The leaders looked favourites to win, but they got off to the worst possible start, with Tom Williams yorked first ball by Jake Slyfield and Ed Bishop caught by keeper Liam Binfield down the leg-side off the same bowler.

A battle of attrition followed as Robin Hudson and Challinor dug in to take their side to 80-3 in the 24th over. However, skipper Slyfield continued to bowl with good pace and accuracy, dismissing both batsmen and finishing with 6-33 in 14 overs. James Grist and Taylor Howard polished off the tail and Brook were all out for 99.

Blackheath II came within six runs of overhauling Peper Harow’s large total of 201-8, but had to be content with four points from the higher-scoring draw. Still seeking their first win of the season, Peper Harow batted consistently and number 5 Nabeel Ahmed made a fine unbeaten 51 to steer them past the 200 mark in the full 48 overs. Anthony Coombes bowled well for his three wickets.

Jack Sutherland snapped up a quick wicket when Blackheath replied and went on to take 5-42 in 14 overs. But the wickets were hard-earned as Ian Nolan (55) and Terry Brockman (33) shared a fine stand and Chris Lewis (28) and Oliver Arengo-Jones followed up with good knocks. Arengo-Jones finished 46 not out and Blackheath closed on 196-7 in their 42 overs.

Thursley, true to style, went for a big total in quick time away to Frensham III, but lost their openers cheaply to Louis Kennett, both bowled. Richard Verrier took further wickets, but Frensham could not contain Aaron Smallbone (50) and Derek Agge – top scorer with 70 – and then Keith Tilson, coming in at 7, steered the visitors to a midway declaration at 226-8.

Frensham began shakily against Liam Larby and Agge, but the experience of Richard Elliot (38) and Richard Houlette (21 not out) and youthful promise of Freddie Wilson (29) steered the home side to a safe two points at 150-7.

Grayshott III skipper Neil Sampson won the toss at last, inserted Dogmersfield II and watched his bowlers dismiss the home side for 105 on a spongy wicket. Rob Gregory (4-29 in 13 overs) and Nick Ryall (3-27) did most of the damage, while Andy Wheble, on a ‘guest’ appearance, snapped up 2-1 in four overs.

Miraj and Raja were a potent opening attack for Dogmersfield and the visitors were facing defeat after a batting collapse. However, Will Phipps and the lower order dug in. Phipps should have been run out, but survived to make 32 not out and steer his side to a two-wicket win.

Kingsley v Bramley – cancelled.