BROOK and Tilford II both won at the top of I’Anson Division Three, while Thursley secured maximum points to ensure it did not turn into a two-horse title race.

Frensham III raced to 50 off ten overs against some friendly bowling by Tilford II before Martin Knott and Johnny Barran stemmed the flow of runs. At 90-3 from 25 overs, Frensham looked to accelerate, but Jack Cantwell had Richard Champneys stumped for 43 and thereafter the visitors lost wickets steadily and were restricted to 165-9 off 48 overs.

Tilford started positively, but the curse of the drinks break struck again and they went from 65-2 to 107-5 after 30 overs. However, Adi Walker (32 not out) was joined by Ben Matthews (35 not out) who dispatched anything loose and secured victory in the 38th over with a huge six into the Barley Mow.

Grayshott III, invited to bat at Brook, sprinted to 40-1 off 10 overs, with opener Luke McBain making 31, but then slumped to 60-6. At that point, Jimmy Ireland, who had made a five-hour trip to play, arrived and took his side to 100 before running out of partners.

Brook lost a wicket before tea, but Tom Smith, top scorer with 31, and Rick Godfrey took the attack to the bowlers and soon had 50 on the board. Robin Hudson also hit the ball cleanly before the returning Alex Serrano saw Brook over the line for another comfortable win.

Thursley’s innings against Peper Harow followed a familiar pattern. Keith Tilson laid a solid base with 41 and later batsmen Derek Agge (54), Aleem Fazal and Liam Larby provided the acceleration, allowing a declaration at 201-8 after 43 overs.

Steve Bradley had bowled well for his five wickets and he again shored up Peper Harow’s innings after opener Glenn Taylor had, remarkably, hit 60 of the first 63 runs, including nine fours and three sixes.

Skipper Bradley made a gritty 45, but couldn’t save his side who were bowled out for 150 in the 38th over.

Kevin Street (45) and James Renny (37) batted well as Bramley made a decent 176 all out against Tongham, with Lee Bennett taking 5-41 in 14 overs.

But a century opening stand between Adam Farrier (63) and Matt Carrington put Tongham in a strong position. Three wickets then fell for one run, but Scott Meyer (27 not out) and Mark Andrews (34) made sure of the eight points.

Kingsley are looking in a desperate plight at the foot of the table after losing to Dogmersfield II in the basement battle. A strengthened Dogmersfield (the 1st XI had a bye) powered to 211-5 in 40 overs (W Khan 57, Dhanyal 48) and then dismissed the home side for 105.

Pace bowler Maraj Shinwari wreaked havoc by taking 6-25 in eight overs and only Nick Randall looked comfortable. The veteran all-rounder made a masterful 59 before falling to Anand Gurung.

Wood Street drew with Blackheath II in a high-scoring mid-table game. Wood Street declared at 207-5 in 46 overs (Liam Binfield 47, Josh Dobson 45) and the visitors replied with 200-8 (Neil Cozens 79, Tom Hufton 61) to snatch the bonus points for a higher-scoring draw.