ELSTEAD ended Brook’s proud unbeaten record and opened the way for Fernhurst to at last go top of the I’Anson Division Two table.

The Brook runs dry. They inserted Elstead and were given the run-around in the field as the home side amassed 239 all out in 47 overs, with a half-century from opener Lewis Sheppard and powerful middle-order contributions from Dave Tye (49) and captain Faz Syed, top scorer with 63.

Missing some of their key men, Brook were soon in trouble and quickly set their sight on a draw. They very nearly achieved it, despite some excellent bowling by Syed who took 4-12 from 12 mean overs. Zeeshan (3-14) had the last word and with the fifth ball of the final over, he bowled Oli Eccles to clinch victory for a jubilant Elstead. Brook all out for 97.

Fernhurst, meanwhile, were crushing Frensham II by ten wickets. Invited to bat, Frensham began brightly enough, but things went downhill fast after Bruce Baxendale had dismissed Martin Breddy and Peter Harrison. Tristan Rissik (3-13) and newcomer James Crowder (4-28) turned the screw with tight spells. Nick Jackman and Steve Tytler took great catches and Frensham were dismissed for 120 in 38 overs.

Fernhurst’s formidable opening partnership of Mike Allen and Mark Charman completed the job in 23 overs. Charman hit 70 not out, including 11 fours and two big sixes, and Allen was unbeaten on 44.

And so the stage is set nicely for this Saturday’s showdown between Brook and Fernhurst.

Hindhead had the better of a draw against fellow strugglers Shalford. Hindhead’s top order all got starts, but only Ed Ince went on to a substantial score. After his dismissal for a fine 42, the home side collapsed to 115-8, but Ali McGregor rescued them with a big-hitting 49 off 31 balls, well supported by captain Mark Babb, and Hindhead closed on a competitive 175 all out from 44.2 overs. Juan Vorster (4-40) and Mark Callcutt (3-32) bowled with impressive control for Shalford.

It was a real boost for Hindhead when Harry Stokes bowled the prolific Peter Unsworth for a duck. Kevin Rogers and Kevin Huttly rebuilt the innings, though, and some powerful hitting from Tim Sutton threatened to win the game for Shalford. However, Lance Thorne (3-32) and Joe Harrison restricted the run-rate in the middle overs, aided by alert fielding. After the dangerous Jack Quest was well caught by David Babb off Ince (3-37), the lower order shut up shop and comfortably played out time on 147-8.

Fourth-placed Grayshott II batted Thursley out of the game, but the visitors escaped with a fighting draw. The home side’s innings was dominated by Neil Sampson who, after a cautious start, opened up to score a superb 111, sharing a partnership of 110 with David Eeles (65). James Baccarini weighed in with 35 not out and Grayshott amassed 292-6 at the halfway stage.

Thursley began shakily after their long stint in the field, but then Keith Tilson (51) and Aleem Fazal (58) started to punish both good and bad balls and the visitors pushed on to 120-2. Wickets began to tumble as Thursley continued to chase and eventually Grayshott required just one more to clinch the 18 points. A fourth dropped catch of the day cost Grayshott dearly and Jackson and Rapley held out with gritty defence.

Tyler Carrington was undoubtedly man of the match as Tongham ended a lean spell with a good home win against Harting. Andy Wadey and Rob Norris made 33 apiece in a consistent batting display by the visitors, but their total of 171 in 42 overs posed few problems for Tongham.

Tyler Carrington, who had done most of the damage with 5-43 in 12 overs, well backed up by Mark Andrews (3-33), also shone with the bat when Tongham replied. An aggressive second-wicket partnership between opener Adam Farrier (64) and Carrington made certain of victory. Tongham raced home in just 24 overs, with eight wickets intact and Carrington 71 not out.

Skipper Rob Croucher (71) and Neil Poulter (58) shared a fine opening partnership for The Bourne and it took 26 overs for Badshot Lea to separate them. Thereafter, the home bowlers had more success and from being 126-1, Bourne were all out for 220 in the 48th over. Tim Gray and Jamil Aryobi each took three wickets, while Jack Addison ripped through the tail to end with 4-30.

Badshot Lea began badly against the visitors’ stand-out bowler, Matt Duncan, who took 5-46 from his 14 overs. Russ Mayhew claimed 3-26 from 11 and Badshot Lea seemed to be facing certain defeat at 104-7 after 21 overs. However, Chris Minassian (32 not out) and the Addisons, Jack and Dan, batted very solidly and rescued four points for their side who ended the day on 171-8.