WITLEY, although misfiring badly in the second half of the I’Anson Division Two season, will follow runaway champions Chiddingfold into Division One.

Grayshott II, who could yet beat Witley for runners-up on the last day of the season, cannot join their first team in the top flight under I’Anson rules.

Grayshott host Frensham in a 2nd XI tussle on the last day, while Witley will be trying to avoid a third straight defeat when they entertain Hindhead.

Only one team will be relegated, due to Cody’s withdrawal at the start of the season, and with Harting pulling off a great escape, Wood Street (home to Headley II) or Badshot Lea (away to Bourne) face the drop.

Chiddingfold drove another nail into Wood Street’s coffin by winning by 106 runs at Toby’s Oaks. The visitors coasted to a midway declaration at 179-6 after a fine opening partnership between Simon Schollar (54) and Kavi Patel (32) and later an unbeaten 30 from Richard Day.

Josh Dobson (32) played a captain’s innings for Wood Street and made nearly half his side’s meagre total of 73. He and Matt Lunn held up the Chiddingfold bowlers, but once their defiant stand was broken, Russ Talman and Paul Ward swept through the rest of the batting. Talman took 6 for 22 in 11.1 overs, while skipper Ward snapped up three wickets in six overs without conceding a run! The last six batsmen failed to score and Wood Street, having looked well on course for a draw, were dismissed for 73 in the 42nd over.

Harting, after winning an important toss, dismissed Witley for 110 in 38 overs and it could have been far worse for the visitors. Only Ollie Hickman prevented a complete collapse and his excellent 68 (11 fours) at least gave his side something to bowl at. Steve Baldwin, Jordan Bates and Andy Wadey bowled very tightly, while Joe Kavanagh had most success with 4 for 43 in 12 overs.

Rob Norris batted aggressively for Harting, making 44 (9 fours) out of the first 58 runs before falling to Kurt Lyall who, with Chris Munday, then got amongst the wickets. But the damage was done and Matt Cordwell and Bates put the finishing touches to a win that keeps Harting up.