AFTER almost a month’s break from cricket, Farley restarted their season with a trip to Basingstoke and North Hants IV.

Having inserted the home side, Ted Glanvill gave Farley a great start, but the home team’s experienced second wicket pair showed how good the early season track was, timing the ball sweetly all round as they added a ton.

Jake Hand made the breakthrough and quickly snaffled a second victim in a spell full of teasing flight. Lewis Wakeford, on his senior debut, then removed Bennett (59) courtesy of a fine catch by Andy Coveney. But while wickets continued to fall regularly, Alex Yeates, rifling the ball through the offside, made a swift 64 to see his side to 242- 8.

Mike Covill and Simon Wakeford led the Farley response, adding 112 for the first wicket before Covill fell for 50, lofting a catch in the deep off the young Basingstoke spinner.

Wakeford continued to an excellent 89, but the run-rate was creeping away from Farley. Andy Coveney threatened to change that, but when he was run out via a direct hit, the Farley middle order was unable to keep up with the chase – several more falling to boundary catches.

Despite some classy drives from Lewis Wakeford at the end, Farley finished 23 runs short on 219-8 – picking up 11 points.