FARLEY enjoyed an emphatic return to winning ways, racing to a 119-run victory at Sway II in the Hampshire League County Four West

Inserted in gloomy conditions, Farley lost Andy Gibson to the first ball of the match.

However, Manny Gurung, in company with Russ Spencer, helped ride out the tricky opening spell from left-armer Bramwell.

Gurung was the more aggressive of the two, particularly when the home attack overpitched, and soon had fielders set back to him.

After Spencer fell, he found an ally in Mike Covill, making his first appearance of the season.

The pair added 78 for the fifth wicket, as the change bowlers struggled to maintain the length and pressure of the openers. It was the arrival of spin that forced a breakthrough, Covill unable to clear mid on off the tidy Steve How.

Gurung reached his 50 off 71 balls, and continued to find the boundary regularly with meaty pulls, crisp cuts and thunderous drives.

His innings ended at 86, stumped in the bid for quick runs. Dave Thornber and Jake Hand ensured Farley broke the 200 mark, finishing on 213-8.

Sway also lost a wicket to the first ball, as Dan Stevenson swished at a short wide delivery from Phil Owen to give Jon Burton the first of three catches.

Owen (4-18) then settled into an excellent rhythm, trapping home skipper Nailor in front with a slower ball then trimming the bails of Gallagher, who offered no shot to an off-cutter.

With Mike Scrase chipping in with two victims at the other end, Sway slumped to 41-6 by the start of the 11th over.

Adam Clark (48) dug in, swatting away anything short, and his partnership with Dave Marshall had lasted seven overs before Gurung produced some extra bounce.

Marshall’s nick flew to Covill at first slip, who took an excellent catch with the ball almost past him.

He enjoyed an easier grab next over, as Clark’s vigil ended with an outside edge off Paul Roberts.

Roberts (3-11) finished things off, Sway all out for 94 in the 26th over.

It was a tough day at home for Farley’s second team as they found themselves up against a high quality Cadnam attack.

Matt Wood’s 23 was the highest score as Farley were all out for 92, a total Cadnam surpassed inside 13 overs. Farley’s Phil Winslow also suffered a dislocated finger.

Next week sees a double-header against Southampton Travellers.

Pictured in the first XI team picture are back row (left to right): James Melhorn, Phil Owen, Jon Burton, Manny Gurung, Russ Spencer, Mike Covill, Dave Thornber.

Front row (left to back): Mike Scrase, Jake Hand, Andy Gibson, Paul Roberts, Jakki Knight (scorer)