FARNHAM 2nd XI are bowling and fielding well, but struggle to build totals big enough to challenge the top sides in the Surrey Championship 2nd XI Premier Division – as was seen when they visited leaders Wimbledon II on Saturday.

Jamie Strachan had no hesitation batting first on a flat track and he and Wes Taylor gave promise of a 200-plus total as they saw off dangerous seamers Charlie Leonard and Ed Cooper and built their third 50 opening partnership of the season.

The pair punished anything loose from the change-bowlers, but after putting on 81, both fell in consecutive overs – Strachan for 37, Taylor for 43.

A middle-order collapse then reduced Farnham to 90-5 and it fell to Russ Golding (21) and Jonny Matthews (23) to repair the damage. The pair rotated the strike effectively and it took an exceptional piece of fielding by Robbie Gunn to break the stand, Golding being run out. Matt Crew hit two consecutive sixes, but Sam Dickson and Ed Cooper cleaned up the tail and Farnham were all out for 169.

George Osborne and Marc Lewis bowled well with the new ball, but had little luck as Wimbledon skipper David Wills raced to an aggressive 51 before being trapped in front by leg-spinner Golding.

Alec Goldsworthy and Mike O’Mahony bowled accurate spells, but Guy Mitchell (61) and Robbie Gunn shared a stand of 64 and after a mini collapse (129-5) Wimbledon won by five wickets in the 36th over.

• Farnham III won by 40 runs away to Esher III (3rd XI Div II. Farnham totalled 144 at Imber Court, with Toby Elstow making 44 and Tom Blackburn 35. Esher replied with 104-9 (time game). Steve Elstow took 4-38 in 10 overs.