FARNHAM made hard work of beating lowly Old Whitgiftians, but eventually clinched a narrow 12-run victory, thanks largely to another fine performance by Mike O’Mahony – this time with both ball and bat.

O’Mahony, coming in at number 9, was top scorer with 31 vital runs that helped Farnham to a defendable 193 all out in 60 overs.

Whitgiftians opted to bowl first and Farnham’s innings went in fits and starts, with batsmen getting in, and then getting out.

Toby Ward hit a quick 29, but the home side were wobbling at 104-5 and then 146-7 before an eighth-wicket stand of 36 between Matt Clarke and O’Mahony made the score respectable.

Whitgiftians began badly, but then looked to be heading for victory as Shaz Rana and Harshil Shah, coming together at 84-5, took the score past 150.

Tom Grimes made the important breakthrough, dismissing Shah, and, two runs later, O’Mahony got Rana for 47.

O’Mahony (4-44) took two more wickets and a troublesome last-wicket stand between Mo Raza and Suliman Younas was finally broken by the spin of Nathan Thorpe. Old Whitgiftians were all out for 181 in the 51st over.

This Saturday, Farnham travel to Chipstead, currently second in the Surrey Championship Division One.

Farnham III beat Egham III by 7 wickets (3rd XI West Div). The visitors were bowled out for 106 (Steve Elstow 4-39). League leaders Farnham got the runs in 30 overs. Opener James Sommerville was unbeaten on 46 and skipper Peter Goldsworthy made 33.