I’ANSON Division Two leaders Pirbright put two losses behind them and beat Badshot Lea who were fresh from an impressive win against Grayshott.

But Pirbright were made to work hard for victory after inserting the home side. It looked a good decision as Ian Milton and Aman Khan restricted Lea to 37-2 in 20 overs. Milton (14-9-17-3) bowled eight maiden overs straight off.

Opener Sam Dixon dug in for a patient 32, but further tight bowling from Rupert Howe and Puneet Saraswat (4-18) kept wickets falling and despite a fluent 25 from R Khan, Badshot Lea were all out for 110 after 39 overs.

It looked plain sailing at first for Pirbright as Awais Khan and James Thompson took them to 44 without loss after nine overs. But when Khan was well caught behind the wicket by Chris Minassian, Thompson soon followed and a fired-up Matt Bent (5-53) reduced the visitors to 77-5.

Brett Flanegan decided that attack was the best form of defence and his 36 not out (7 fours, 1 six) relieved the pressure and secured Pirbright’s 11th win of the season.

Lurgashall are breathing down Pirbright’s necks after notching up a fourth straight win. Put in at The Bourne, Lurgashall obliged by amassing 238-9 in only 39 overs. Mark Budd and Vermana Anne plugged away for 14 overs apiece, but Lewis Hyde hit 58 at the top of the order and there was a sting in the tail as Dan Dillon-Thiselton and Jamie Dunston enjoyed a lively last-wicket partnership.

Only Nick Hales offered serious resistance when The Bourne replied. The number 3 batted most of the innings before being ninth man out for 53. Ollie Pearce and Darren Hodd took three economical wickets apiece. Two run-outs did not help Bourne’s cause and they were all out for 141.

Steve Riley, playing his first game of the season, and Andy Lang gave Grayshott II an excellent start against Shalford with an opening stand of 85. Riley, granted a few ‘lives’, made 54 and when the solid Lang went for 35, the home side were 111-3.

Paul Marden (33) and Lee Conway added 51 and with the later batsmen running hard and looking to accelerate, Grayshott closed on 214-6 from 48 overs, with Conway unbeaten for the second week running, 42 not out.

Shalford lost two quick wickets – James Crutcher unluckily run out backing up – but Peter Unsworth and Kevin Rogers (56) saw off Kiaran Wells and Chris Brophy. Both completed half-centuries in a partnership of 122, taking their side to 146-3 and within touching distance of the win-draw target of 188.

Wells (5-57) bowled the excellent Unsworth for 75, but Shalford, seven wickets down, grabbed the extra points when Dave Rowe hit a boundary with three balls remaining. A fine game, played in a very sporting spirit.

Having scored 241 the previous week, Hindhead had no hesitation batting first against Frensham II, but things didn’t go to plan as they slipped to 59-6 against good bowling from Nick Green and the wily Adam Page (5-41). Ben Thorne joined opener Darren Carter and the pair added a useful 38 runs before Carter was dismissed for a well-made 44. Well marshalled by Thorne (29 from 105 balls), the late order eked out 55 runs and Hindhead closed on 153-9 from 48 overs.

Frensham openers Martin Breddy and Jack Blythe put on 48 before both fell to Matt Jeffs in quick succession. At 59-3, Hindhead sensed an opportunity, but their hopes were dashed by John Turnbull (41 not out) and Freddie Leighton (47 not out) who combined solid defence with hard hitting as Frensham cruised home with seven wickets and more than five overs to spare.

Headley II, inserted at Elstead, were 66-5 when Ashley Cook was run out for 22. Thereafter, the visitors relied heavily on Ken White whose fine innings extended the innings into the 48th over when he was finally bowled by Pat Murphy for 51. Faz Syed took 4-36 in 14 overs and Headley were all out for 126.

Elstead were in a spot of bother at 24-2, but opener Lewis Sheppard was in great form and his 64 not out and a good partnership with Chris Holland (26) ensured a convincing victory.

Fernhurst were held to a sixth draw of the season as Harting put up stubborn resistance. Mike Allen scored yet another I’Anson century and it was a virtuoso effort by the veteran who struck 12 fours and two sixes in a powerful 107. The next highest scorer was James Bristow with 24 and after declaring at 176-9, Tristan Rissik left his bowlers 45 overs to dismiss the home side.

With Rob Norris run out for 20, Harting set their sights on two points. Bristow (5-19 in 14 overs) bowled Fernhurst to the brink of victory, but Andy Wadey and last man Andy Stubbington played out time on 122-9.