I’ANSON teams found various way of playing around England’s World Cup quarter-final on Saturday afternoon. Only two games were scratched in the top three divisions, although several clubs fielded weakened sides.

The knock-on effects were felt in the lower divisions, with seven fixtures being called off.

The league had taken a flexible approach, allowing clubs to change start times and lengthen tea intervals. Brook and Headley came up with the most imaginative solution. The game started at 10am, they took 10 minutes between innings, and then went to the upstairs room of the Dog & Pheasant for a late tea and to watch the football.

But the game didn’t work out too well for the genial hosts. A much-needed win lifted Headley three places off the basement in Division?One, while Brook slipped to second from bottom.

The clash of the only two unbeaten sides in the entire seven divisions proved a one-sided affair as leaders Grayswood crushed a feeble Frensham by 190 runs. Frensham drop from second to fourth, overhauled by Blackheath and Grayshott who both won their games.

Grayswood took 118 off the last 10 overs to post an unassailable 268-6 at Hollowdene. Before Saturday, no team had won a game batting first at Frensham and Alastair Gloak, after losing the toss, was taking no chances as Grayswood batted the full 48 overs at this small ground.

Jonny Dow (68) and Alex Tucker took the visitors to 73-2 off 14 overs, but the introduction of Tim Knight halted Grayswood in their tracks, the left-arm spinner taking three quick wickets to reduce them to 115-5.

Skipper Gloak and Graham Dooling batted with great restraint, scoring just 35 runs in 14 overs. At 150-5 from 38 overs, the Frensham bowlers, Knight in particular, were doing a good job, but then the fireworks began. Dooling went for 46, but this only brought in Dave Handley who blasted 38 off 17 balls, including four sixes. Gloak accelerated to 58 not out and Frensham were left to chase 268.

After the quick turnaround, Iain Jackson promptly claimed the key wicket of George Breddy. Charlie Robertson and James Wood added 30 before Andy Gloak picked up two wickets in two balls. The spinners joined in and Frensham settled down to the football at an unpromising 44-5.

Missing half their regular side, Frensham were never going to come back from that and Alastair Gloak brought the game to a sudden close by taking three wickets in four overs. Frensham were dismissed for 78 in 35 overs.

A 10am start appeared to suit Headley who amassed 254-4 in 42 overs after Brook had opted to field first on a roasting day. Dave Stone and George Ellis added 88 for the second wicket and then Gavin Arend savaged Brook’s attack, hammering 15 fours and three sixes in a superb 107 not out. Marc Hawtin gave strong support in an unbroken partnership of 129.

The Williams duo, skipper Tom and Rhodri, gave Brook an excellent start, but the challenge fell away after they were both adjudged lbw (86-2). Tom Smith held the innings together, but Headley produced an ace card in Dom Johnson. The 2nd XI regular recorded match-winning figures of 7-52 in 14 overs, leaving Ellis to claim the final wicket in the 45th over. Brook all out for 166, with Smith left stranded on 44 not out.

Tilford and Puttenham, fourth and fifth last season, but currently struggling at the wrong end of the table, shared the points at the Green. Deciding to bat, Puttenham were going well at 122-2 after a second-wicket stand of 113 between Imam Hashmi (59) and Kyran Miles (52). A flurry of wickets left the visitors 154-6, but some late-order resistance saw Puttenham to a handy 221-9 from 46 overs. Young left-arm spinner Jack Cantwell bowled 14 excellent consecutive overs, returning his best Division One figures of 5-43.

Tilford’s first wicket put on 33 and then Mark Ramesar (30) joined opener Chris Wilson (58) in a partnership of 59. Four wickets down, and with a slower run-rate against the accurate Ahmeds and newcomer Kyran Miles (3-35 in 14 overs), Tilford aimed to reach 166 and gain four extra batting points. With four needed off the final ball, Matt Cook smashed the ball over mid-wicket for a towering six, Tilford ending on 168-6 from their 44 overs. Points: Tilford 6, Puttenham 8.

Dogmersfield chose to bowl first against Grayshott and had to watch as Andy and Alistair Wheble compiled another hefty opening partnership, father making 64 and son 55. Batting was never easy, though, and it took Grayshott 48 overs to reach 207-4, with Matt Jackson and Nathan Phillimore providing the late acceleration.

Dogmersfield were put in a decent position by S Raja (33) and Z Raja (49), but then lost their way as Grayshott rang the bowling changes. The tailenders looked like saving the game, but Abbas finally fell to Phillimore for 25 and the home side were all out for 175 with only five balls remaining.

Chiddingfold hit bottom again after losing to Blackheath by five wickets. Dean Spencer and Matt Wright saw off the new ball, but then fell to Danny Harrison in quick succession and Chiddingfold went from 58-1 to 127 all out, Oli Arengo-Jones removing the middle order with a spell of 3-12.

Blackheath had a few hiccups (two batsmen run out) after a strong start, but the result was never in doubt. Rob Parrott made 32 and O’Dwyer finished unbeaten on 37.