FARNHAM 2nd XI deserve credit for matching one of the top sides in the league (Surrey Championship 2nd XI Premier) and coming up 14 runs short, having received 10 overs fewer.

Ashtead II elected to bat and were held in check, particularly by Marc Lewis who bowled his maximum 14 overs straight through for 29 runs.

Gary Martin and Sam Gale shared a good stand, but it was 36 overs before Ashtead reached 100. Farnham’s ground fielding was superb and Martin, soon after completing his 50, was caught on the boundary by Tom Blackburn off Alec Goldsworthy who twice took two wickets in an over to finish with 5-32 from 11.

Amirali Akbarali made 49, but the shackles could not be broken and second-placed Ashtead batted into the 55th over before declaring at 200-9.

Left only 46 overs, Farnham needed a positive start and Jonny Matthews and Jamie Strachan gave them that with 60 off 15 overs. Strachan was in fine form and took Farnham to 96-2 after 25 overs.

The remaining 22 overs were all bowled by the spinners who found prodigious lift and turn.

Strachan was caught in the deep for 60, but Dan Matthews, Russ Golding and Lewis continued the run-chase.

The one big over eluded Farnham, though, and with eight wickets down, Ian Thorpe and Blackburn played out the last over to secure the winning draw.