THE I’ANSON Representative XI avenged last year’s defeat with a hard-earned victory over Farnham at the Park on Sunday.

The change-bowlers did the damage for the league team as Farnham, who included six first-team regulars, fell away from a good start and were dismissed for 148, with two of the allotted 40 overs going to waste.

The I’Anson lost seven wickets in getting the runs and owed much to Grayswood’s Dave Handley who followed up an outstanding display behind the stumps with the day’s top score of 45.

Tom Grimes elected to bat and saw openers Jonny Matthews and Jim Berry give Farnham a cracking start with 68 in quick time against the opening attack of Huw Town-Jones and Miraj Shinwari.

The I’Anson worked hard for the first breakthrough, but once Iain Jackson had dismissed the openers, both caught by Ahsan Awan, wickets tumbled and the accurate pair of Jackson and captain Aks Ilyas reduced Farnham to 96-5.

Matt Crew, a 3rd XI player, took the attack to the bowlers with 38, hitting some big sixes, but the other batsmen fell cheaply to Rhys Dodson and George Ellis.

An expert stumping by Handley ended the innings at 148, with Rob Goldsworthy left stranded on 12 not out.

The slow wicket was not suited to cavalier batting and Andy Hall Hall and Gary Hunt played watchfully to put on 24 without loss. However, much as Farnham had, the I’Anson lost wickets in a cluster. Nathan Thorpe’s first ball had Hunt caught at slip by Ciaran Rooney and the visitors slumped to 39-4, with Jamie Jones striking twice.

Ellis fresh from a century the day before, and Handley then shared an excellent partnership, playing sensible cricket, manipulating the ball and working singles.

The pair took the score to 112 before Ellis was run out – a smart piece of work by Grimes. Handley then gave Grimes a return catch, Jackson was also run out, and the I’Anson were suddenly 129-7.

Rhys Dodson, earlier dropped by Berry who suffered a split finger as a result, held firm and he and the calm Town-Jones saw their side home in the 39th over of a low-scoring, but eventful game of cricket.