WITH Grayshott and Frensham involved in a thrilling tie and Puttenham beating Tilford by one wicket in a tense finish, the top I’Anson teams made it a Saturday to remember.

The match at Dogmersfield did not have the same level of suspense, but Grayswood took another step towards the championship with an emphatic 167-run win.

Andy Major (59) and Iain Jackson (45) were the main contributors as Dogmersfield tried every combination of partner for Dhaniyal’s off-spin. Grayswood, building on a solid early platform, took 89 off the last ten overs to close on 257-8.

Andy Gloak whipped out two batsmen for seven runs, while the unfortunate Dan Bunter had to retire with a pulled hamstring. Arshad Dilawar attacked briefly and Jack Cantle dug in, but no other Dogmersfield batsman lasted more than seven balls as Henry Hind, assisted by safe catching, mopped up with 5-16 in eight overs.

The news of Grayshott’s tie topped off a good day for Grayswood who now have a 22-point cushion with four games to go.

Tilford decided to bat first at Puttenham, but were soon in serious trouble as Sid Ahmed started with a double wicket-maiden and clean-bowled the first three batsmen. Reduced to 28-5, Tilford rallied through Mark Ramesar (23) and Denis Hounsham, but were all out for only 86 in the 43rd over. Bowling honours to Ahmed (3-7 in 9 overs) and Imran Khan (3-10 in 9).

Puttenham did not fare much better as Huw Town-Jones and Nigel Martyn removed the top four for 24 runs (Martyn’s three victims were all lbw). James Crouch hid two important sixes in his 25, but wickets continued to fall regularly, and with a fine run-out by Richard Hargreaves to dismiss Aks Ilyas, Puttenham still required eight runs at the fall of the ninth wicket.

Paul Crouch finally hit the winning four in a nerve-racking finish. Town-Jones, having dismissed the openers, yielded just six runs in his nine overs.

Frensham and Grayshott have had some right old battles over the years. Saturday’s game followed that tradition – the match was tied.

Grayshott, put in at Hollowdene, prospered against the seamers, but were less happy against the slow bowlers. Opener Gary Hunt made a swift 40, but it was Matt Jackson’s 60 that underpinned the innings and got the total up to 212 all out in the 45th over.

Grayshott bowled well in defence of what looked a gettable total, but the home team’s top five were all in the runs, Sam Farncombe leading the chase with 43. At 170-5, it seemed that it was Frensham’s game to lose.

Young pace bowlers Alex Marden and Kiaran Wells kept Grayshott in the game, but the last over arrived with Frensham requiring just two runs with two wickets standing.

Wells rose to the challenge. He bowled Richard Elliot and, with the scores level, caught and bowled Nick Green with the final ball of superb game of cricket.

The signs were ominous for Pirbright when skipper Ian Milton pulled an achilles tendon before the game had even started. The visitors still had plenty of bowling, but could not stop Blackheath piling up 264-9, with their own Milton, Josh, scoring an excellent run-a-ball 104, well supported by Peter Melhuish (50) and Harry Giles (42).

Pirbright were in contention at 55-1, but wickets tumbled when they tried to accelerate. Awais Khan made a fine 55, but Pirbright were all out for 165 in the 38th over, with skipper Peter Melhuish taking 5-43.

Pirbright need two wins from their remaining four games to remain in the top flight. Three teams are due to be relegated as the league restructures for next season.

In-form Chiddingfold beat Headley in a mid-table encounter. Consistency was the name of the game as Chiddingfold posted 213-9 in their 45 overs, skipper Paul Ward top-scoring with 43.

George Ellis held Headley together as Paul Hundley and Chris Howell made early inroads. Ellis was eventually seventh man out for 65, after which Zach Benstead held Chiddingfold up with 33 not out. However, Ben Evans took the last two wickets and Headley were all out for 156.

• Lurgashall conceded their Division One fixture for the third week running and it now seems that the ailing village club will not play again this season. The I’Anson’s management committee now has to decide how this will effect the league table.

• The I’Anson will be at The Kia Oval this Monday (Sept 4), competing in the Surrey Inter-league Competition in which they have enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons.