THE Bourne held their lead in I’Anson Division Three with a notable win over Thursley, who had beaten Farncombe the week before. Midhurst beat Headley II, while Blackheath II had the thin end of a draw against Shalford.

Two of their recruits from Lurgashall, Nathan Kemp and Drew Clark, played the major innings as Midhurst sprinted to 195-4 declared in only 34 overs. Clark made 52, while Kemp produced the fireworks with a hard-hitting 118, including 15 fours and two sixes.

Midhurst were clearly expecting prolonged resistance from Headley II and they were not wrong. Even with only ten men, the visitors batted into the 54th of their 56 overs. Opener Paul Kelly top-scored with 32 and the lower-order batsmen sold their wickets dearly. Tim Canning made 25 and Mike Hughes was defiant to the finish, but eventually Tim Powell (3-23) finished the job, Craig Edwards having earlier taken 4-19 in 14 overs.

Hindhead lost by three wickets at Farncombe, but matched their strong opponents throughout in a low-scoring game. The visitors were asked to bat and the two Babbs, David (36) and Mark, gave them a solid start, bluntening the new-ball attack in a first-wicket stand of 66. But their dismissals within two overs of each other sparked a collapse. Spinner Jack Durrant again did most of the damage, taking 5-30 in 14 overs, ably supported by Hayden Bishop and Jake Charman. Hindhead went from 67-1 to 116 all out from 44 overs.

Matt Jeffs claimed the prize scalp of Ryan Luff in the first over, but Farncombe looked like cruising to victory while skipper Matt Jaggard (27) and Lee Hudson (26) were together.

However, a double bowling change saw Stuart Woods and Arpan Painter peg the home side back and they were in a spot of bother at 65-5 and then 102-7 after two quick wickets for Harry Stokes. Number 4 Sam Durrant (27 not out) was still there and steered Farncombe home in the 28th over, with assistance from Bishop and Charman.

Shalford elected to bat against Blackheath II – a good decision as they posted 231-7 in 47 overs, with Peter Unsworth (64) and Adam White (46) leading the run-scoring.

Good bowling by Oliver Rowe (3-26 in 10 overs), David Rowe and Bryan Winson put Blackheath well behind the run-rate, but a fine 64 from opener Matt Hardcastle steered the home side to a draw.

Harting opener Rob Norris rolled back the years, hitting 101 at nearly a run-a-ball to see the home side to a formidable 222-6 against Bramley.

James Renny (52) and Ali Holmes replied with an opening stand of 92 for Bramley, but then Simon Kyte and Andy Wadey each took three wickets to reduced the visitors to 135-8.

Kapil Sangwan and Andy Martin held firm and Bramley ended on 167-8.

Wood Street pulled further away from the foot of the table with victory over basement side Dogmersfield II. The home team made a respectable 187 (Jamal 48), but Tom Sands (57) and Hamish Chudley (41) engineered a well-timed win for Wood Street.

Thursley were bowled out for 147 in 35 overs by The Bourne who got the runs with two wickets intact. No details available.