ANOTHER fine innings by Joe Morse clinched victory for The Bourne at Harting on Saturday.

Both sides are challenging for an immediate return to I’Anson Division Two and it was Morse’s good fortune to win the toss and insert the home team.

It looked a decent batting track, but there was more in it for the bowlers than expected, at least early on, and Harting, after a decent start, struggled to 140 all out in the 47th over.

Opener Olly Simpson made a good 36 and Terry Wadey, as usual, was difficult to winkle out, but the bowlers plugged away, with Isaac Morse, Ed Garett and Russ Mayhew all returning fine figures.

The Bourne made solid, if slow progress until Jordan Bates struck with three quick wickets to put Harting back in the game. But they could not contain Joe Morse and his 62 not out, and an unbroken partnership with Neil Poulter (18 not out), completed a six-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare. Graham Nutting bowled 10 very tight overs.

Hindhead continued their improved form with a thrilling seven-run victory away to Blackheath II. Joe Harrison, Matt Jeffs, Jack Hamilton and Stuart Woods all reached 20 after Hindhead had been inserted, but no-one managed to kick on and the visitors’ 171 all out looked a touch short, given the good track and lightning outfield. Blackheath took the pace off the ball to good effect, with Ben Hodges (10-1-30-2) and Anthony Coombes (12.4-3-35-4) bowling miserly spells.

Blackheath were 31-1 when the teams went in for an elongated tea, but, buoyed by the football result, Hindhead came out with renewed energy and Woods picked up key wickets. Matt Hardcastle was still there, however, and he and Paul Nash went along nicely until James Shrubb claimed the prize scalp of Hardcastle for 65.

Blackheath then looked to bat around Nash and a quickfire knock by Ronny Harrison seemed to swing the game their way. But Hindhead continued to chip away and when newcomer Henry Beattie (3-27) had Nash stumped, they sensed victory. It was left to Harry Stokes to wrap up victory after a great day’s cricket, played in an excellent spirit.

Farncombe elected to bowl first and were kept in the field for 48 overs as Bramley fought their way to a respectable 162 all out, thanks to an excellent innings of 65 by James Renny. The opener eventually fell to consistent spinner Jack Durrant, but most of the damage was done by seamer Lee Hudson who took 5-38 in 14 overs. Dan Burstow hit a defiant 25 not out, including two sixes.

Ryan Luff and Matt Jaggard, the usual suspects, put Farncombe on course with an opening partnership of 87, skipper Jaggard striking 47 off 31 balls. Marcus Bentley caught and bowled Luff for 77, but it was too late and Ben Dray steered the leaders home after just 24 overs.

Headley II conceded their bottom-of-the-table match against Dogmersfield II.