WITH Blackheath II losing to Thursley, I’Anson newcomers Farncombe took over the lead in Division Three, level on the points average with The Bourne.

Put in by Farncombe on a freshly-cut wicket, home side Shalford were reduced to 10-4 in the ninth over, with Hayden Bishop (5-31) and spinner Jack Durrant (3-35) proving a potent opening attack.

A spirited fightback by the lower order (Sam Stone 34) helped Shalford to 139 all out, but Farncombe knocked off the runs for the loss of only two wickets and with 16 overs to spare, thanks largely to an opening stand of 94 between run machine Ryan Luff (65) and Matt Jaggard (49).

Matt Duncan and Mark Budd took four wickets apiece as The Bourne dismissed Dogmersfield II for 141 in 35 overs.

Jamal had Rob Croucher caught for 20, but this only brought in Joe Morse to join Nick Hales (36 not out). Morse followed up last week’s century by hammering 84 not out and Bourne romped to victory in 27 overs.

Opener Matt Hardcastle scored 75 for Blackheath II, but Sohaib turned the match in Thursley’s favour by taking 6-33 in 10 overs. Chasing 166, Thursley raced to victory in 30 overs, with Hadi hitting a very fast 61 not out.

Midhurst openers Simon Lush (56) and Nathan Kemp (90) gave something of a batting masterclass at Hindhead and the visitors made a midway declaration at 202-3. The bowlers stuck to their task, with James Shrubb picking up two deserved wickets.

Hindhead lost three early wickets, including key man Joe Harrison, but Matt Jeffs (52) and Dan Bolton (61) played beautifully, punishing any loose deliveries while remaining in control. Hindhead picked up two bonus points in the penultimate over, finishing on 154-6.

Bramley made it four wins and two losses in six games as they beat Headley II by eight wickets. Headley never recovered from losing a flurry of early wickets to Ali Holmes and Rory Brooks-Kent, the latter recording excellent figures of 4-26 in 14 overs. Tom Kiddy and the tailenders put up valiant resistance, but Headley were dismissed for a modest 89 in 35 overs.

Dom Johnson bowled Holmes cheaply and Kiddy picked up a wicket, but an unbroken partnership between Nick Hyett (42 not out) and Henry Turner (26 not out) secured victory in 22 overs.

Wood Street and Harting, both struggling for consistency, drew their game at Toby’s Oaks. Put in to bat, Wood Street posted a very useful 183-8 in 48 overs. Keelan Williams (35) and Hamish Chudley (44) wore the bowling down with a patient second-wicket partnership and James Grist accelerated the run-rate with a brisk 37.

Oli Simpson, after taking 3-35 from 12 accurate overs, then made 31 for Harting and shared a good stand with Anthony White (30). But the visitors never threatened the target and were content to play out time on 147-4, taking six points to Wood Street’s eight.