EVENTS conspired against Farnham as they made a valiant attempt to overhaul Banstead’s large total at the Park on Saturday in Surrey Championship Division One.

Already batting with 10 men due to injury, Farnham lost Guy Hicks – 73 at the time – at a vital time, just when the skipper looked to be driving his side toward a much-needed victory.

After a two-hour delay while the pitch dried out, Farnham won the toss and elected to bowl on the still damp track. But Banstead made a good start against an attack missing the extra zip of George Dale and raced to 72 before spinner Thorpe came on to make the breakthrough, dismissing both Dan Newton and Tom Lancefield, the latter having played the lead role with a fast half-century.

The young Banstead side continued their aggressive approach, all scoring quickly and explosively at times.

Farnham rotated their bowlers, but only the experienced Mike O’Mahony made the most of the conditions and tied up an end with ten overs for 36 runs, while being unlucky not to pick up a wicket.

Shortly before the drinks break, Thorpe misjudged a ball hit back at him and split the webbing of his non-bowling hand. Bandaged up, he gamely continued and claimed a third wicket when he had David Hurst caught by Jamie Strachan for 43.

But Banstead scored heavily through the middle order, notably through Richard Lock (39) and Josh Stainer.

At 200-4, they had wickets in hand to accelerate the run-rate and Stainer was 55 not out off 47 balls when captain Newton declared at 285-6 from just 45 overs.

Farnham, left a generous minimum of 61 overs, needed a solid start, but lost James Berry with only three runs scored. However, Joel Walker and Ciaran Rooney saw their side through to tea against a lively opening attack.

On the restart, the ball continued to swing and seam and with extra pace at their disposal, Banstead made more effective use of the conditions.

At 41, the introduction of Tyler Meyer’s spin brought the downfall of Walker as he mistimed a shot to cover. Hicks and Rooney, captain and vice-captain, then set about the considerable task of getting Farnham into a winning position against a talented trio of left-arm spinners, included Surrey’s Freddie van den Bergh.

Hicks swept and drove well, while Rooney went over the top with regularity and the pair added 95 in an excellent partnership.

At 136, Rooney, after reaching a watchful half-century, mistimed a drive off Lancefield and was caught at long-on.

Hicks was joined by Toby Ward in another good stand, the youngster showing his talent and power and, like his skipper, sweeping the spinners to great effect.

Needing 90 off the last 12 overs, Farnham were gearing up to have a real go, even with Thorpe stranded at the Royal Surrey, but at that crucial point Hicks and Ward departed within two runs of each other, meaning that new batsmen had to immediately score at seven runs an over against a strong attack.

It was asking too much and the later batting folded to Lancefield and van den Burgh, Farnham’s ten men, 195-3 at one point, were dismissed for 210 in the 61st over.

It’s bottom against top on Saturday when Farnham travel to Ashtead.