TILFORD 2nd XI registered a fifth straight win to gain the lead in I’Anson Division Three.

Meanwhile, Kingsley’s unbeaten record was ended by Wood Street.

The match between Grayswood II and Tilford II was reduced to 37 overs-a-side and the visitors amassed a healthy 187-7, thanks largely to an opening stand of 57 between Chris Wilson and Martin Cantwell and a vigorous late flourish from Ben Matthews who hit three sixes in the last over.

Rick Austin and Martin Knott then bowled excellent spells and Grayswood slumped to 23-5 before Andy Coxall and then Henry Hind made the score more respectable. Hind hit two fours and two sixes before Matthews removed his middle stump. Grayswood were bowled out for 101 and Matthews finished with 4-35.

Wood Street, after losing their top three cheaply to the Cooper opening attack, recovered well through their middle order. Hamish Chudley (37) and captain Jake Slyfield (36) batted particularly well and Wood Street posted 146-9, Oli Cooper taking 4-19 in his nine overs.

Kingsley’s strong top order failed against Hamish Chudley and James Grist. Skipper Oli Cooper hit a defiant 52, but James Grist (4-11) and Slyfield finished the job and the visitors were dismissed for 111 in 34 overs.

Glenn Taylor scored his third big ton of the season as Peper Harow beat Bramley to consolidate third place in the table. Taylor and Marcus Price plundered the bowling in a second-wicket partnership of 204. Skipper Taylor bludgeoned 11 sixes and 15 fours in his 161 and Price contributed 60 as the home side set a distant target of 283.

Bramley took on the challenge valiantly, but it was left to a fighting ninth-wicket partnership between James Renny and James Money (28) to secure the bonus points. Renny hit 79 not out off 60 balls and an unbroken final partnership with Don Wilmott took the visitors to a creditable 232-9.

Blackheath II batted well on a tricky wicket to win by eight wickets at Headley II. The home team looked to have made a decent fist of batting first, with the top five all reaching 20. But some fine slow bowling by Simon Mansell and Anthony Coombes (3-20) kept the run-rate in check and Headley were held to 144-4.

Ian Nolan was in no mood to hang around and the game was effectively settled after 10 overs as he regularly dispatched the many loose deliveries. Nolan raced to 51 and opening partner Tom Melhuish, dropped twice, was 52 not out as Blackheath won at a canter.

Milford struggled for runs early on against Puttenham II, with Tim Wickens (playing alongside father Peter and son Ben) taking 2-10 from nine overs. Ben Green and Darren Bierton both made half-centuries as Milford progressed to 130-2 off 35 overs, but the home side failed to capitalise and a total of 167-8 felt 20 runs short.

It proved to be the case as Puttenham constructed victory around the batting of Aks Ilyas who defied injury to score an untroubled 89 not out. He looked in a different class and with support from Liam Harrison, set up a comfortable win. Green caused a hiccup by taking three wickets in an over, but it was not enough to turn the game.

Jack Cantle was also a centurion, striking 101 off 89 balls as Dogmersfield II powered to 293-8 in their away match against Grayshott III. Khush Subhani (50) and Mansoor Bashir (31 not out) also joined in the fun.

Cantle then took two of the first three wickets when Grayshott replied. Ross Owen hit a spirited 24, but Grayshott were bowled out for 110 in 37 overs.