Still lacking their main strike bowlers, Farnham are finding it an unequal contest if they have to bat first in the Surrey Championship.
They successfully chased a target last week, but after losing the toss at the Park on Saturday, the pressure was on them to post a competitive total against a very strong Esher side.
They failed to deliver on what looked a good batting surface. Alan Thorpe, one of last week's heroes, went early and although Robert Smith and Nick Whitworth then added 55 at a fair rate, the good work was undone when the latter played a poor shot and Bob Brown went for a duck: Farnham 75-3.
Smith's 45, made with excellent concentration and good technique, was a big plus for Farnham. Unfortunately, Gary Clapham, Smith and Gareth Pugh (first ball) all fell to the leg-spin of Grant, leaving the home side 122-6 at lunch.
Dan Midwinter's poor run of form continued and it was left to Harpreet and Andy Stedman to salvage something from the wreckage.
This pair added 50 in an enterprising stand, but James Harvey returned to take two quick wickets and Harpreet, having again carried the later batting, blotted his copybook by leaving Chic Stedman stranded halfway up the pitch: Farnham all out for 164 in 45 overs.
The Esher batting line-up is formidable and openers Andrew Goldsmith and Jon Robinson set about their task confidently. Clapham and the two Stedmans were dispatched with ease and 74 runs came in 14 overs before Stedman Snr had Goldsmith taken in the slips.
Former Surrey man Robinson survived what looked a clear caught and bowled by Harpreet and, just to rub salt into Farnham's wounds, went on to hit 70.
He and the free-scoring Zed Sadiq took the score to 146 and Esher then powered to victory in just 29 overs.
l Farnham welcome back speedster Paddy Murphy, who has been unavailable for two weeks, for the local derby against Guildford this Saturday (start 11-30 am in the Park. However, key bowler Peter Dickinson remains sidelined by injury.
Guildford are currently in mid-table, having won two of their five matches to date.
l Farnham fell at the first hurdle in the Evening Standard Trophy on Sunday. They were completely outplayed by visitors Hertford.
Farnham managed only 127 against the Hertfordshire Premier League side, with Andy Stedman (28) and Gareth Pugh (21) the only batsmen to pass 20.
Hertford raced to victory in only 24.2 overs for the loss of one wicket. Opener Scott Ruskin blazed his way to 71 not out.
farnham
A Thorpe c and b Harvey 1
R Smith b Grant 45
N Whitworth b Lane 20
R Brown lbw Lane 0
G Clapham c Sen b Grant 19
Harpreet not out 39
G Pugh lbw Grant 0
D Midwinter c Goldsmith b Grant 0
A Stedman c Howard b Harvey 14
D Kirkland b Harvey 0
C Stedman run out 1
Extras 25
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Total 164
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Bowling: J Harvey 3-26, D Lane 2-36, G Grant 4-37.
esher
A Goldsmith c Thorpe b C Stedman 38
J Robinson b A Stedman 70
Z Sadiq not out 36
N Sen not out 11
Extras 10
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Total (for 2 wkts) 165
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Bowling: A Stedman 1-38, C Stedman 1-29.