FARNHAM 2nd XI gave their best display of the season in beating Valley End II by a resounding 151 runs in the Park (Surrey Championship 2nd XI Premier).

Inserted on another superb track, Farnham made steady progress through the second-wicket pair of Jonny Matthews and Will Davies. Once their 50 stand was broken, the home side slipped to 64-4, but Davies and Russ Golding rebuilt and took the score to 104-4 at drinks before another mini slump left Farnham 118-6, with Davies out for an excellent 48.

Golding then played a number of exciting drives and pulls as he and Saaj Patel put on 47 quickfire runs. After Patel was out for 32, skipper Ian Thorpe helped add 32 and Golding reached his 50 with a magnificent flick over the long square-leg boundary.

After Golding was caught for 62, Thorpe, Tom Blackburn and Dom Lloyd made sure the tail wagged and Farnham reached 229 all out in the 50th over.

Valley End had 51 overs back, but any hopes of victory were quickly snuffed out as Mike O’Mahony and Lloyd both took wickets with their first deliveries and then reduced the visitors to a disastrous 24-6.

Steve Durandt and Nick Wellman then doubled the score, but the introduction of Blackburn effectively ended the contest as he took wickets with successive balls.

There was no coming back from 52-8. Patel held a steepling catch off Chris Terry and, next over, Blackburn completed the rout. Valley End were all out for 78 in a mere 18.1 overs.

A ruthless performance by Thorpe’s side who reach the halfway stage of the season in fifth place.