I’ANSON champions Grayswood, frustrated by an over-active spring on their pitch in the early weeks of the season, got their title defence underway with a fairly comfortable win over Blackheath.

And thanks to the points average system, Grayswood share top place in Division One with Grayshott and Frensham.

Peter Melhuish chose to bat first and most of his players got a start, while never mastering the accurate Grayswood attack.

Iain Jackson, Andy Gloak and Jonny Dow all reeled off nine tight overs apiece, while spinner Jon Ashworth yielded just 18 runs in his nine. Opener Matt Hardcastle made 39, but Blackheath’s 170-8 never looked to be enough.

An opening partnership of 82 between Jackson (47) and Tom Barnardo (51) effectively put the game to bed. Hugh Jolly took a couple of wickets, but skipper Alastair Gloak completed the formalities in the 39th over.

Grayshott continued their 100 per cent record with victory over near-neighbours Headley. Andy Wheble lasted only four balls, but son Alistair was the ideal foil for Matt Jackson who cracked a spectacular 144 off 112 balls, contributing 72 out of a stand of 96 with young Wheble.

Headley countered with a flurry of wickets (125-5), but Stuart Kennedy did his bit in another 50 stand and with Jackson stroking 19 fours and a six, Grayshott posted 231 all out. It was a one-sided scorecard. The next highest score was 14.

Headley lost two wickets for 27, but alarm bells began to ring for the home side as skipper Callum Hawtin and Gavin Arend, with positive footwork and attacking intent, added 69 in rapid time. Wheble Snr (3-32) tried some spin and did the trick when Arend (42) dragged one high into the deep and Harrison Ward took the most important catch of the game.

Headley’s challenge faded fast and they were all out for 126 in the 36th over. Mark Richards bowled an unforgiving spell, taking 3-17 in nine overs.

Brook recorded their first win in the top division, beating Tilford in a high-scoring game. Brook’s innings centred around Robin Hudson who came in after Jake Austin had picked up two early wickets and took complete command with an unbeaten 108, including 13 fours and three sixes. Nick Jackman (34) and Paul Challinor (41) gave fine support as the home side piled up 241-7.

Tilford were facing a crushing defeat at 66-5, Alex Johns taking three wickets, but Matt Cook (51) and captain Jason Stones (52) resisted long and hard in a stand of 87.

The tailenders also gave Brook cause for concern, but the bowlers remained calm and Tilford ended a well-fought game on 217-8 – good enough for bonus points.

Frensham captain Sam Farncombe invited Chiddingfold to bat and after Nick Cobbold had claimed the prize scalp of Dean Spencer, the home bowlers only met serious resistance from the third-wicket pair of Matt Wright (42) and Matt Barnett (44).

Spinners Tim Knight and Farncombe both picked up two wickets, but the main damage was inflicted by Jordan Frost who came on fourth change and took 4-19 in seven overs. Chiddingfold all out for 142.

Frensham got the runs easily. Paul Hundley bowled Tom Charman at 31, but Robertson and James Wood added 62 and then Farncombe joined Wood in an unbroken stand of 53. Wood, continuing his rich vein of form, finished 68 not out off 48 balls, including 12 fours and a six.

The match between Puttenham and Dogmersfield was, you could say, fiery, resulting in a five-run penalty against Dogmersfield and a three-match ban for their captain, Imran Choudhary.

But it was Dogmersfield who took the 12 points, winning by just two runs. They had totalled a modest 135 all out, with Dhaniyal making 44 and Puttenham newcomer Shak Ilyas, brother of Aks, taking 4-35 from nine overs.

Puttenham looked to be in the driving seat as Saj Hussain hit a fast 44, including ten boundaries. Janes Crouch helped take the score to 65-1, but the wheels came off against a good Dogmersfield attack.

Dhaniyal followed up his innings by taking 3-24 and Samad Ayoubi whipped out the tail, leaving Puttenham all out for 133 and Crouch still there, stranded on 29 not out.

lThe Knockout Cup group matches continued on Tuesday, with results as follows:

Thursley beat Frensham; Farncombe (68-9) lost to Blackheath (142-5); Witley beat Milford; Puttenham (144-3) beat Dogmersfield (135).

Farncombe came a poor second to Blackheath in something of a local derby. Mitchell O’Dwyer hit 58 for Blackheath and then took 2-18 in his four overs as I’Anson newcomers Farncombe struggled to 68-9. Unorthodox spinner Will Melhuish took 3-19 in four overs.

Puttenham gained some revenge for Saturday’s league defeat with a convincing victory against Dogmersfield. Puttenham piled up 144-3 in their 16 overs and then dismissed the visitors for 85.