THE I’ANSON Cup Representative XI beat Farnham in an exciting final-over finish at the Park on Sunday.

A high-scoring, entertaining game ebbed and flowed, showcasing the young talent on both sides, before the league team edged home with four balls to spare.

Andy Hall Hall inserted Farnham in overcast conditions. Joel Walker, James Berry and George Hellyer demonstrated some impressive and powerful stroke-play, but all three were left frustrated after drilling the ball into the hands of the infielders.

Berry managed to avoid being dismissed by brother Josh, but became a first victim for Rob Weston.

Weston and first-change Jack Richards contained the home batsmen for a time, but the middle overs proved bountiful for Jonny Matthews and Tom Grimes who put Farnham in a great position with their 100 partnership.

Both worked the ball nicely into the gaps and reached impressive and well-paced fifties before accelerating to 75 and 81 respectively in the final overs. Grimes was unfazed when he lost grip of his bat handle in playing an expansive shot and sent it hurtling through the air.

Farnham ended on 263-7 from their 40 overs, throwing down a tough challenge to the visiting side.

And the I’Anson got off to a bad start as George Dale bowled Rob Parrott with a well-directed yorker.

Peter Melhuish and Joe Randall steadied things with a partnership of 57 for the second wicket. Richards joined Melhuish in another decent stand and managed to get the better of some testing bowling from Rob Dale and Rob Goldsworthy. Although lagging behind the run-rate, the I’Anson were nicely set up for a late push.

Farnham hit back when Blackheath captain Melhuish played one shot too many and was bowled by James Berry for a superb 72.

The game took another turn as Tom Charman and the in-form Callum Kent, fresh from his century the day before, hit out aggressively for 49 and 51 respectively.

Charman and Hall Hall brought victory nearer with a stand of 49. Opposing skipper Ciaran Rooney, one of several former I’Anson players in the Farnham side, took responsibility in the final overs, but could not prevent Hall Hall hitting the winning runs off the second ball of the last over.