FARLEY showed a weakened Littleton and West Hill II no mercy with a crushing 219-run win that leaves them in third place going into the final week in Regional Division One North.

Inserted, F a r l e y started slowly at 13-1 off the first five overs.

But, from then on, they never gave the visitors a sniff. First BJ Cole plundered two early sixes on his way to 33. Mike Covill (49) and Andy Coveney (43) put on 76 for the third wicket before Geoff Ramsey upped the rate further.

His blistering 65 included five sixes off the visiting spinners as F a r l e y scored 90 in ten overs.

D a n J a c k s o n maintained the momentum, his 42 not out seeing Farley to an imposing 287-8.

Curiously, Littleton appeared almost strokeless in response, and after ten overs had stumbled to just seven for three, as Jackson (2-11) made early inroads.

Paul Roberts made the most of the cautious approach, conceding only five runs in his ten overs and picking up three wickets.

Piper took the long handle to Jake Hand a few times before Hand had his revenge, and debutant Mark Brewin got in on the action with two wickets in consecutive balls.

Opener Dibben had doggedly made his way to 26 but captain Covill finally let Ramsey loose, and he cleaned him up with his first ball to leave Littleton 68 all out.

It was a similarly dominant display from Farley’s second team, who recorded a 98-run victory at Paultons III.

Ian Swain (31) and Tom Pitt-Brooke (39) gave Farley an excellent start, which Pete Thompson (44) and PhilOwen (47no) capitalised on, to see Farley to 216-6.

The Farley attack tore into the home line-up, aided by some fine catches, Tim Fewins snaffling three to go with his 3-20. Matthew Wood and man of the match Owen grabbed two victims apiece, and Pete Hillman finished things off as Paultons were all out for 118.

The result gives Farley a fighting chance of survival if they can overcome visitors from over the hill, Whiteparish II, on the final day.