ANOTHER successful Farnham run-chase was set up by a superb opening stand of 135 between James Berry and Nathan Thorpe.

With the forecast uncertain and the Park wicket looking good, Tom Grimes had no hesitation in inserting Chessington. Openers Karl Thorns and Prince Singh saw off the new ball, albeit at a pedestrian pace against the disciplined bowling of George Osborne and Rob Goldsworthy.

The introduction of Ben Ungaretti eventually brought the breakthrough and there quickly followed a direct-hit run-out by James Berry to leave Chessington 76-2.

Ciaran Rooney and Thorpe rattled through the middle overs. Thorpe, in his first outing of the season for the senior side, bowled with great control and both took advantage of the turn and bounce available.

Chessington continued to bat with caution and accumulated steadily, with the top six all reaching double figures, although none built a major innings. Adam Lawrence top-scored with 34.

The visitors used the maximum 55 overs to get to 200-8, which looked slightly below par for a decent track. Thorpe and Rooney finished with 3-55 and 2-55 respectively, having bowled 29 overs between them.

Young openers Thorpe and Berry then gave Farnham the perfect start, showing experience beyond their years as they weathered the new ball, punishing anything short or over-pitched and then, with the introduction of spin, accelerating with a combination of orthodox drives and cuts and innovative sweeps and flicks.

The partnership was a delight to watch and, more importantly, set the game up for Farnham who had only 45 overs to get the runs.

Berry was finally caught off Paul Willis for 68 and, four runs later, the same bowler dismissed Thorpe for 57, leaving new batsmen ten overs to score the remaining 62 runs.

It then became interesting as runs came quickly at the cost of a flurry of wickets to Richard Singleton and Willis.

With seven wickets down and five runs wanted, Ungaretti and Osborne saw Farnham home and they will put it down to fine judgement that the winning hit came off the last ball of the match.

Farnham host Bank of England this Saturday in the Surrey Championship Division Two (start 11.30am).