BROOK completed the double over Fernhurst to regain top place in I’Anson Division Two.

Irrespective of its importance to both sides, the game was played in a thoroughly sporting manner and conducted efficiently by the two pool umpires.

Brook, having had their 11-game winning sequence ended by Elstead the week before, were inserted by Tristan Rissik. Bruce Baxendale and Ryan Lewis, although unable to make an early breakthrough, limited openers Tom Williams and Mark-Antony Eysele to only 33 runs in the first 10 overs.

However, with a combination of sound technique and punishment of the bad balls, the pair shared an excellent partnership of 125 in 31 overs before being dismissed for 73 and 48 respectively by Nick Jackman who, together with spin partner Rissick (3-50), managed to dismiss the rest of the side for less than 80 runs. Jackman finished with 6-61 in 13 overs.

Having reduced the home side from 125-1 to 203-9 in 48 overs, Fernhurst were right in the game and, indeed, grabbed the initiative as consistent openers Mark Charman and Mike Allen put on 76 in aggressive style, making 39 apiece before falling to Paul Challinor and Jon King respectively.

Thereafter, wickets fell regularly, while some hard hitting from Ashley Holloway, Baxendale and Harry Lambert kept the result in the balance.

However, the tight bowling of Challinor (4-30 in 9 overs) and King (3-37 in 12) gave Brook the edge, while a one-handed catch on the hill by Tom Williams was a stand-out moment.

In the 38th over, last man Rissik was dismissed by Rhodri Williams and Fernhurst were all out for 176, with Lambert left stranded on 27 not out. Brook had won by 27 runs.

Derek Agge was the outstanding performer for Thursley who beat strugglers Harting by 103 runs. Agge hit an attacking 84, including 15 fours and two sixes, as Thursley mustered 196 all out in just 38 overs.

The Wadey family were involved in most of the dismissals, with Andy and Jake each taking three wickets and Archie Wadey holding four catches, one off his own bowling.

Agge was not finished and took 3-11 in nine overs to put Harting in deep trouble at 74-7. The visitors were dismissed for 93 in 31 overs, with Aleem Fazal and Keith Tilson sharing four wickets.

Frensham II gave a much-improved batting display and amassed 218-9 against Tongham, thanks largely to numbers 8 and 9, Tom Smith and Archie Rawnsley, who scored 38 and 45 not out respectively.

Tongham, left 42 overs, lost a quick wicket to Smith, but then made the run-chase look easy as Adam Farrier and Tyler Carrington set a hot pace.

After Carrington fell for 55, skipper Liam Gadd also hammered the home bowlers. It worked out just right for Tongham, with Farrier reaching a fine 100 and Gadd his 50 as the visitors raced to victory in the 38th over.

Grayshott II visited Badshot Lea and came out on top of the meeting between the fourth and fifth-placed teams. Badshot Lea were on the verge of a batting collapse before being rescued by Tom Spooner (49) and Tim Gray (33). However, Andy Lang (5-40) mopped up the tail and the home team were bowled out for 128 in the 39th over. Rob Gregory had fine figures of 10-1-21-3.

Grayshott were in trouble at 14-3, but David Eeles and the patient Ali Wheble steadied things. Richard Baker (32 not out) found form again and shared a good stand of 41 with Eeles (37) and Grayshott eased to a four-wicket win.

A depleted Hindhead were inserted at The Bourne and although several batsmen got starts, only Darren Carter (36) was able to kick on. The visitors batted into the 48th over, but managed only 119 all out. Matt Duncan and Mark Budd were particularly accurate, Duncan taking 3-35 in 12 overs.

Despite a lively opening spell from Stuart Woods and a wicket for Harry Stokes, The Bourne cruised to the target inside 32 overs. Opener Rob Croucher played well for his 27, but the stand-out performer was Joe Morse who made a classy 63 not out and was particularly severe on anything short.