HINDHEAD got off the mark in I’Anson Division Three, beating Thursley by five wickets.

Stand-in captain Stuart Woods inserted Thursley on a soft wicket and it proved a good decision as Harry Stokes ripped into the top order, ably supported by the economical Woods. Young Stokes took 5-23 in nine overs and despite quickfire knocks from Aleem (30), Zafir (31) and Mumaf (39), further wickets for Dan Bolton and Arpan Painter restricted the visitors to 128.

Joe Harrison dominated Hindhead’s reply with an innings of 54. Ben Thorne (23) gave good support and after a flurry of wickets by Tayyab (4-24), it was left to Dan Bolton (30 not out) to see Hindhead home with some powerful six-hitting.

Bramley won a tight encounter against local rivals Shalford. The visitors lost their top three to loose shots and although Tim Sutton (45) rebuilt well, wickets fell regularly enough at the other end to keep Bramley on top.

A target of 138 was not easy, though, and Bramley owed much to Nick Hyett’s solid 59 as wickets fell and the run-rate climbed. Rory Brooks-Kent finally settled the issue with some clean hitting.

Headley II fought back well against The Bourne, but eventually lost by nine runs. Bourne openers Rob Croucher (47) and Nick Farr (72) were in good touch from the start and were only separated by fourth-change Algie Trotman’s first ball. Trotman and skipper Dom Johnson shared nine wickets with some wily, slower bowling and, after their strong start, Bourne were held to 170-9.

Headley’s top four contributed just five runs between them and fine bowling by Matt Duncan and Ed Garrett seemed to put Bourne in total control.

However, Bill Ray found partners in Tom Kiddy and then Craig Johnson as Headley chipped away at the target, aided by a generous helping of wides. Ray and Mike Hughes kept things interesting until the last over when Duncan (5-18 in 8.5 overs) bowled the number 11 with the penultimate ball of the match, Ray remaining unbeaten on 66.

In other games, Blackheath II beat Wood Street and Farncombe defeated Dogmersfield II.