LEADERS Tongham scorched to another win in I’Anson Division?Two, losing just one wicket in overhauling Frensham II’s 178, while nearest rivals Pirbright were held to a high-scoring draw in their match at Elstead.
Veteran left-hander Peter Harrison hit a half-century for Frensham II and James Frost and Ben Maxwell made handy runs, but all three fell to Scott Meyer whose 5-28 in 10 overs kept the home side to well below the 200-plus total they needed at Hollowdene.
Maxwell got Tongham skipper Liam Gadd cheaply, but Adam Farrier and Mathew Carrington put Frensham’s score in perspective with a punishing partnership of 169.
Farrier was unbeaten on 88 and Carrington followed up last week’s ton with 68 not out as Tongham raced to victory in 32 overs.
Dean Burditt decided to bat first at Elstead and led from the front with an aggressive 82 off 80 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six. The evergreen Pat Murphy picked up two wickets as Elstead began to chip away at the batting, but Pirbright were able to make an early declaration at 224-7 from 40 overs.
Rupert Howe (4-37) and Aman Kahn made early inroads when Elstead replied, but the home side had steel in their middle and late order. Matt Murphy held them together with an excellent 69 (10 fours) and Peter Cheeseman (38) gave fine support.
With Pirbright conceding 38 extras, Elstead, having threatened to pull off an unlikely victory, finished on 210-8 from their 50 overs.
Fernhurst’s decision to bowl first at the Green proved a good one. The wicket looked a belter, but gave some variable bounce and Tilford II lost two quick wickets to Bruce Baxendale before Gavin Nesbitt and Hamish Macdonald (33) steadied the innings.
At 58-2 after 15 overs, the game was nicely poised, but the introduction of Tristan Rissik (5-46) alongside the dependable Leon Fourie (3-44) caused a collapse. Only Nesbitt stood firm and when he was trapped in front by Rissik for 69, Tilford crumbled to 136 all out.
Fernhurst’s reply was eventful. Two boundaries and a wicket in the first over set the pattern and the early introduction of left-arm spinner Jack Cantwell (4-54) saw the visitors stagger to 90-5.
Crucially, opener Mike Allen was still there and after riding his luck at times, the veteran cut loose and blasted 76 not out, including 10 fours and three sixes, to win the game for his side in the 26th over.
The game between Badshot Lea and Grayshott II ended in a high-scoring draw. Grayshott amassed 256-6 declared and bottom side Badshot Lea replied with a creditable 219-7. Points: Badshot Lea 6, Grayshott 8.