Farnham again flattered to deceive on Saturday. Strongly placed at one stage to run up a challenging score at Spencer, they subsided to a deeply disappointing 149 all out and the home side made light work of the modest target.

For the sixth time running, Gary Clapham lost the toss, but Spencer's damp wicket was at least consistent in bounce and Thompson and Saleem made poor use of the conditions as Gary Clapham and Alan Thorpe took the score to 38 without loss in 11 overs.

However, Pierre Phillips was then introduced to the attack and immediately found the right line, bowling six successive maidens. Thorpe was first to be frustrated out, chasing a wide one, and Clapham was next, trying to upset Phillips' rhythm: Farnham 45-2.

This brought Nick Whitworth and Simon Hollingsworth together and, with some watchful strokeplay, these young batsmen led a promising recovery.

At 109-2 in 44 overs, Farnham were looking at a competitive total. Once again, though, a collapse ruined the good work. Whitworth mis-timed a pull, having made a gutsy 45, and Hollingsworth suffered the same fate after batting patiently for 25 off 89 balls.

The Farnham middle order struggled with their technique and failed to cope with Wasim Riaz, the surprise package, who took 5 for 29 in 14 overs with his medium-pacers. Eight wickets went down for 40 runs and Farnham were all out for an inadequate 149, having batted 59 overs.

Farnham were convinced they had Khawar Saleem caught behind off Peter Dickinson's first delivery, but the Spencer opener survived and proceeded to smash the opening attack to all parts, taking a heavy toll on anything wide or full.

It took the toiling Aubrey Steyn to remove him with a straight one, but the damage was already done. Saleem hit 51 off just 40 balls and departed with the score on 63.

Lewis, the other opener, took up the gauntlet and played well, showing his adaptability to conditions.

Farnham rang the bowling changes, but could not bounce back from the initial run feast, Although Hollingsworth and newcomer Young bowled well at the death, Spencer cruised to victory in just 39 overs for the loss of four wickets.

A third of the season gone and Gary Clapham's men are struggling to get out of first gear and off the bottom of the table. They entertain Met Police this Saturday.

farnham

A Thorpe c Hewage b Thompson 9

G Clapham c Saleem b Phillips 29

N Whitworth c Thompson b Riaz 45

S Hollingsworth c Saleem b Riaz 25

P Dickinson c Saleem b Riaz 9

A Steyn b Riaz 2

J Crutcher b Turk 5

W Young run out 2

S Robson c Hewage b Riaz 1

R Smith not out 2

C Stedman b Thompson 10

Extras 10

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Total 149

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Bowling: D Thompson 2-40, P Phillips 1-21, W Riaz 5-29.

spencer

K Saleem b Steyn 51

S Lewis c Robson b Hollingsworth 60

R Hewage c Dickinson b Smith 18

A Khan lbw Young 11

W Riaz not out 2

A Saleem not out 9

Extras 3

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Total (for 4 wkts) 154

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Bowling: A Steyn 1-29, R Smith 1-23, S Hollingsworth 1-24, W Young 1-15.