FARNHAM 2nd XI, having broken their league duck the previous week, narrowly failed to make it back-to-back wins, losing to third-placed Wimbledon II by an agonising five runs at the Park (Surrey Championship 2nd XI Premier).

Wimbledon, inserted by Jamie Strachan, were in trouble at 79-5 after some good bowling by George Osborne, Marc Lewis and Tom Blackburn.

Opener Colin Rose was still there and he and number 7 Robbie Gunn rebuilt the innings with a stand of 56. Rose finally fell for 62, with Osborne taking another stunning catch, and Alec Goldsworthy’s inspired spell of 5-29 in 9.2 overs saw the visitors collapse to 160 all out.

Farnham were left 59 overs to get the runs and were given the perfect start by Jonny Matthews and Wes Taylor who took their side to 40-0 at tea.

But both were dismissed in the space of a few balls and with Will Davies and Ciaran Rooney quickly adjudged leg before to Charlie Hetherton (4-24), Farnham were 63-4.

Strachan batted positively for a fluent 35 and it was a key moment in the game when he was adjudged caught behind off leg-spinner Dilshan De Silva.

Adam Elstow and Lewis, coming together at 107-7, then batted sensibly to put on 38, taking Farnham to within touching distance of victory.

But they also departed in quick succession and when Osborne feathered a catch to the wicketkeeper, it was all over for Farnham – bowled out for 155 in 55 overs.