IT was all change again in I’Anson Division?Three as Farncombe’s surprise home defeat to Blackheath II allowed Midhurst to regain the lead.

It looked like business as usual for Farncombe as Blackheath lost two quick wickets to Wes Pusey and although Paul Nash rallied his side with a steadfast 67, the visitors were bowled out for 163, with Jack Durrant and Jamie Gayle each taking three wickets.

But Farncombe’s big guns failed for once as Rob Weston made early inroads. Pusey countered with a quick 36, but Weston had his tail up and in two spells he returned match-winning figures of 7-37 in 12.3 overs. Farncombe were dismissed for 128 in the 31st over.

Midhurst, too, seemed in danger of defeat after being inserted by visitors Shalford and then bowled out for 162. Tim Dixon played a captain’s innings of 57 not out, well supported by Chris Adams (25), but the lower order folded against David Rowe who claimed 6-17 in 8.2 overs.

Shalford made a decent start, but the writing was on the wall as soon as Rob Doick had clean-bowled Dave Shilcock and Kevin Rogers. Doick went on to take 6-32 in 11 overs and Shalford were shot out for 83 in 25 overs, with Finley Wells left stranded on 20 not out.

It had rained heavily overnight at The Bourne and steep bounce made it difficult for both sides as Wood Street won in a tight finish. Good bowling by Matt Duncan (4-52) and Mark Budd (4-47) was matched by gritty innings from Keelan Williams (40), Dougal Chudley (32) and Archie Chudley (34 not out) as Wood Street mustered 163.

It proved just enough. Nick Hales (45), Rob Croucher (22) and Budd (35) edged Bourne towards their target, but Jacob Slyfield had the final word and took the last three wickets to leave the home side just five runs short with five balls remaining.

Hindhead picked up crucial points in the relegation struggle by beating Bramley, this despite a superb innings by Ali Holmes who batted through the visitors’ innings for 114 not out, marshalling the tail expertly.

Hindhead nearly blew it after an excellent partnership between Joe Harrison (50) and Darren Carter (32). But Chris Stokes hit the ball to all parts for a crucial 44 and Mark Babb and Pradeep Gore stayed calm to see Hindhead home with an unbroken stand for the ninth wicket.

Harting struggled against a good Dogmersfield II attack and were bowled out for just 125.

Mansoor Bashir then made a fine 68 and Dogmersfield recorded a victory that lifted them off the bottom.

They are replaced by Headley II who lost at Thursley. On a difficult surface, Thursley’s aggressive approach paid dividends as a total of 161 was well over-par. Algie Trotman’s slow tempters earned him four wickets, while Sohaib top-scored for the home side with 38.

Headley found the ball popping alarmingly off a length and lost three quick wickets. Ryan Ray played a gutsy innings of 38, but Headley never looked like getting the runs and were dismissed for 104.