FARNCOMBE beat The Bourne in the I’Anson Division Three top-of-the-table game, opening the way for Midhurst to take the lead after their win against Dogmersfield II.

Put in to bat, Bourne had an early setback when Rob Croucher was run out, but form batsman Joe Morse signalled his attacking intent and he and Nick Hales (32) got the scoreboard moving during a partnership of 94.

Former Thursley player Lee Hudson eventually dismissed Morse for 73 (81 balls) and Jack Durrant bowled another fine spell of spin, taking 5-47 in 11 overs. Even so, Bourne reached a creditable 210 all out in the 48th over.

An opening stand of 58 between Ryan Luff (31) and Matt Jaggard (40) set Farncombe on their way. At 86-3, after wickets for Mark Budd and Matt Duncan, Bourne were still in the game, but Wes Pusey hit a commanding 87 not out off 60 balls and Farncombe won by five wickets with more than two overs to spare.

Headley II and Wood Street played out an entertaining game, the visitors winning by two wickets with just two balls to spare. A dry pitch made life difficult for the batsmen, but Wood Street managed two big overs late in the game which swung it their way.

Richard Jackson (47) and Callum Hawtin had earlier started brightly for Headley as boundaries flowed on a quick outfield. Wood Street gained some control with tidy spells from Tom Grist and Dan Bow, but it was slow bowler Henry Vincent who did the main damage, taking 6-48 in 12 overs. Skipper Marc Hawtin made 30 and Andy Coutts (23 not out) marshalled the tail as Headley mustered 164 in 48 overs.

Wood Street had an early setback when opener Keelan Williams was unluckily stumped, the ball rebounding off keeper Jackson’s gloves onto the stumps. However, Jack Mallett got the visitors going with a good-looking 48. Headley kept things tight and the game shifted in their favour when Callum Hawtin bowled Mallett.

James Grist launched three towering sixes to shift the momentum back to Wood Street before he was undone by a lovely slower ball from Craig Johnson. However, brother Tom Grist took 14 off the 39th over and although two more wickets fell, Wood Street scrambled two runs off the last over to clinch 18 points.

Thursley moved up to fourth place with an impressive win at Bramley. Deciding to bat first, Bramley revelled in the good conditions and amassed 220-6 in 45 overs before making a bold declaration. Ali Holmes (29) and James Renny put on 114 for the first wicket, with Renny’s hard-hitting 78 containing six fours and four sixes. Nick Hyett then struck 70 off 74 balls as the home side set what looked a stiff target for the visitors.

But Thursley made short work of the run-chase, thanks to a blistering century by Anjum Zeshan. The opener blasted all the bowlers, racing to 123 off only 88 balls and hitting 16 fours and six sixes. Holmes finally got his man, but the damage was done and Thursley powered to a six-wicket victory with nine overs to spare.

Leaders Midhurst (237-7) beat Dogmersfield II (236-7 dec) by three wickets. No details available.