BROOK and Fernhurst continued their two-horse gallop to the top places in I’Anson Division Two.
Tongham fared better than most against Brook and after good knocks from Adam Farrier and Matt Carrington, Mark Andrews’ undefeated 56 steered the home side to a decent total of 168.
Toby Pheasant (62) and Paul Challinor (39) seemed to be guiding Brook to an easy win, but Bennett made things interesting by taking 4-28 and the leaders were seven wickets down when victory was achieved in the 35th over.
Mike Allen’s leg injury was apparently not as bad as at first thought. Far from being out for the season, the Fernhurst veteran returned to hit six sixes and eight fours in a top score of 86 against Frensham II. Jack Blythe got amongst the wickets, but a late bombardment of sixes – nine in all – from Bruce Baxendale (47) and Tristan Rissik (57 not out) took the visitors to an unassailable 262-9.
Frensham had a good try, though. Seven batsmen reached double figures and captain Martin Breddy top-scored with 34 as the home side went past 200 before losing their last wicket.
Hampshire youth player Alistair Wheble batted throughout the innings for 75 not out and David Eeles struck an aggressive 57 as Grayshott II totalled 203-4 at Thursley.
Thursley started well enough and Paul Aris went on to make 32. But Barry and Ross Owen worked their way through the batting and third-change bowler Mark Morris, after dismissing Aris, cleaned up the tail with a burst of 4-3 in 5.3 overs.
An under-strength Shalford were punished for several dropped catches as Harting amassed 242-5. Jordan Bates top-scored with a superb 86.
Shalford, after an awful start, showed real fighting spirit to play out their 45 overs, finishing on 144-9 after rearguard innings by Oliver Rowe (32) and Harry Commin (25 not out).
The Bourne looked set for a big score at Hindhead after a fine 62 from opener Nick Farr, but Matt Jeffs bowled an excellent second spell and Harry Stokes picked up three wickets as the visitors were contained to 172 all out.
Hindhead, 73-4 at one stage, got themselves in a strong position before Mark Budd tightened Bourne’s grip on the game with a niggardly 4-14 in his nine overs. Stuart Woods (23 not out) ensured bonus points and Hindhead ended the day on 158-9.
Third-placed Elstead totalled a healthy 230-5 against Badshot Lea, with Sam Barker (79) and Peter Cheeseman (70) sharing a big stand. But Badshot Lea were equal to the challenge. Skipper Max Morris and Raziq Khan (51) put them on their way and then Steve Andrew took control. With good support (Spooner 22, Francis 19 not out), Andrew saw the visitors home with two overs to spare, finishing 44 not out.