FARLEY’S winning run came to a sharp halt at Sherfield on Loddon, going down by 30 runs.

Having inserted the home side, Farley made early inroads as Geoff Ramsey used the new ball to great effect.

But 31-3 was as good as it got for the visitors as Sherfield’s Grant and Gibson staged a recovery. After a brief struggle, Grant took the attack to Farley, hitting a blistering 108 with 17 boundaries and two straight-driven sixes.

Only Ted Glanvill was spared the punishment, returning to bowl Grant in an excellent second spell. But the momentum was with Sherfield, who took full advantage of a tiring Farley attack to finish 266-6.

Farley kept well up with the run rate from the outset, Ian Swain again beginning fluently.

He fell for 39, one of several batsmen to make a start but fail to press on.

Dave Glanvill could consider himself unfortunate, running out via a direct hit from the boundary for a Leaguebest 46.

Ted Glanvill did his best to keep his side in the game, making an unbeaten 32, but his side ended up all out for 236 with four overs to go.

Saturday sees the visit of high-flying Oakley, in what will hopefully be Farley’s first home clash of the summer.

Farley’s second string narrowly failed to record their first win, losing by one wicket at home to Broughton.

Jordan Dyer’s 55 was the top contribution as Farley reached 193-9, but despite a much-improved all-round display, Broughton trudged home.