A lack of match practice showed as a distinctly rusty Farley slumped to a 113 run defeat at Old Alresford. Following a pre-season washout, and with their own pitch waterlogged, Farley were delighted to get on the field at all, and when Geoff Ramsey removed the home skipper in his second over, it seemed like business as usual.

Alresford consolidated, and it wasn’t until the spinners were introduced that Farley made a second breakthrough, Jake Hand turning one sharply to clip the bails. Paul Roberts at the other end also found plenty of grip and the pair worked through the middle order, both returning tidy figures of 2-29 off 10 overs apiece.

However, the dangerous Ben Stanbrook was still at the crease and having benefited from a reprieve against Hand, kept his patience against the spinners to shepherd his side to 114-5 with 7 overs to go. Then Stanbrook and number 7 Connell detonated, clearing the boundary several times to take the home side to 190-6.

Farley’s reply got off to an unfortunate start as Ian Swain was run out early. Captain Mike Covill looked comfortable before miscuing a drive and Andy Coveney appeared to be in good touch before slicing a catch on 27. The middle order fell in a flurry, and Farley stuttered slowly to a second batting point before the innings ended on 77.

Better batting and a more disciplined performance in the field will be required at home to Amesbury next week.