PIRBRIGHT produced a trump card for their meeting with Tilford II in I’Anson Division Two.

It was in the burly shape of Elmore Hutchinson, a USA T20 international, and a formidable competitor with both bat and ball.

Electing to field, Tilford had Pirbright in a spot of bother at 22-2, with skipper Martin Cantwell taking a great slip catch, but this only brought in Hutchinson to join Awais Khan. When they were finally separated, the scoreboard read 199-3.

The Jamaica-born Hutchinson was dropped twice and made Tilford pay with some explosive hitting. He had plundered 96 off 69 balls, including seven sixes and six fours, when he was caught and bowled by James Clements. Khan was run out for 98, going for quick runs, and Pirbright declared on 244-6.

Tilford were then confronted with Hutchinson’s extreme pace, backed up by Rupert Howe’s wiles, and slipped to 70-6 before Clements and Matt Bozier countered with some bold attacking shots.

Khan eventually winkled Clements out for 49 and Bozier was left stranded on 38 not out as James Thompson and the returning Hutchinson removed the tail. In two short bursts, Hutchinson took 3-5 in 6.1 overs, assisted by a superb one-handed catch by that man Khan.

Witley followed up last week’s win over Fernhurst with a 10-wicket rout of Badshot Lea. Only veteran Tim Gray (26) put up any resistance to the bowling of Kurt Lyall (5-18 in 9 overs), Ollie Hickman and Euan Pusey as the home side crashed out for 64.

Witley Openers Adam Keane (34 not out) and Chase Pusey (18 not out) knocked off the runs in 11 overs. Time for an early tea.

Witley are top of the table, while Tongham and Fernhurst – second and third – also won convincingly.

Elstead’s opening attack of Deighton DuPlooy and Dave Tye took early wickets, but Tongham skipper Liam Gadd made 50 and later Gurang took command with a fine 73. A late unbroken stand between Joe Lunn and Lewis Spittles lifted the total to 219-9.

Elstead’s reply was rather a one-man show, with number 3 Guy Drayton making an excellent 91. He finally fell to Lewis Spittles and the visitors were all out for 147.

Several Grayshott II batsmen got a start against the strong Fernhurst attack, but only Guy Drake turned it into a good score. The youngster played some cracking shots and was 36 when he was trapped in front by Leon Fourie. This was the first wicket of a brilliant hat-trick by Fourie, leaving Grayshott all out for 136, with the determined Ben Ward unbeaten on 17.

Mark Charman hit a handsome boundary off the first ball of Fernhurst’s reply. Four dot balls followed and, with the sixth, Rob Gregory yorked the dangerous opener. James Johnson and James Crowder then settled into a good partnership. The bowlers plugged away, backed up by keen fielding. Johnson made 59 before falling to Luke McBain’s first ball, while young Billy McBride bowled some promising leg-spin, but an unbroken stand between Fourie and Harry Lambert secured a seven-wicket victory.