FARNHAM followed up their superb victory at Guildford the previous week with another impressive batting performance, but it was not enough to beat Surrey Championship Division One leaders Esher at the Park on Saturday.

Inserted on a flat wicket, but under overcast skies, Farnham struggled against a formidable new-ball attack. Openers Nathan Thorpe and Guy Hicks were caught behind in quick succession – one decision contentious – and Farnham were 17-2.

However, Toby Davies and Toby Ward counter- attacked to good effect, especially Ward who hit 44 off 34 balls in a partnership of 77 that advanced the score to 94.

Ward was caught just after the first drinks break, but Davies was joined by James Berry in another productive partnership.

The pair ran cleverly, always alert to the quick single, and rotated the strike well against England U19 spinner Ben Collins who reeled off 23 overs for 69 runs while taking two wickets.

The occasional bad ball was duly dispatched and an excellent stand of 106 took Farnham past 200 before Collins finally won his duel with Davies, bowling him for 79 (129 balls).

Berry fell to John Mason for 66 (112 balls) and after a flurry of wickets for Mason (5-55), skipper Tom Grimes and Alec Goldsworthy shared a handy last-wicket stand. Goldsworthy hit the final ball of the innings for six and Farnham closed on 247-9 off 66 overs.

Esher looked to attack from the start. Malcolm Lake hit Rob Goldsworthy’s fourth ball over mid-off for six, only to be bowled by the next delivery as he tried to repeat the shot.

That brought in skipper Will Edwards and the aggressive approach continued as he and Matt Clarke put on 90 in quick time.

Farnham bowled too many boundary balls and although Alec Goldsworthy had Edwards caught for 39 before tea and, soon after, dismissed Clarke for a hard-hitting 63, the damage was done.

At 118-3, the platform was set for Alex Martin to take control with a measured innings of 60, notable for the way he manoeuvred the field.

Thorpe bowled 19 consecutive overs, extracting sharp turn at times and picking up three wickets, eventually bowling Martin.

But Esher were always ahead of the clock and an unbroken partnership between Mason (38 not out) and Stroud saw them home in the 54th over. It had been a well-judged and positive run-chase.

Farnham’s recent form has been encouraging, but they have much to do if they are to climb away from the drop-zone. They host third-placed Camberley this Saturday.