FARLEY cruised to a 120-run win at Bashley IV, but ended up feeling strangely dejected.

While the batsmen had shown their ruthless side, demolishing the home attack as they accumulated 320-4, a lacklustre bowling performance meant they only took five wickets – picking up just two bowling points.

With usual openers Mike Covill and Ian Swain delayed in traffic, Geoff Ramsey and BJ Cole were promoted to the top of the order. Cole was in aggressive mood, trusting the artificial track to pick off anything remotely short – and Bashley’s young seamers provided plenty of opportunities. He reached his 50 inside ten overs, before mistiming a drive.

Cole’s 79 had provided the lion’s share of Farley’s 106-2 in the first 15 overs, but then Covill took over. Finding gaps in the field with ease, he hit 96 before, to everyone’s surprise, chipping a catch into the covers. Farley were 230-3 with nine overs to go, a perfect scenario for Dave Glanvill who smashed a rapid 24, and Dan Jackson who hit an equally swift 28 not out. At the other end, Andy Coveney had moved, almost unnoticed, to an unbeaten 68.

Bashley had taken over three hours to complete their 42 overs, but after standing in the field all that time, opener Wedge was back in the pavilion second ball, steering a catch to Coveney off Ted Glanvill.

His young partner, J Scott, looked in good order and added 64 with senior player Kemp before the latter gave Coveney a second gully catch.

Jake Hand joined the attack, immediately settling into a perfect loop.

After repeatedly beating the bat, he struck in his fifth over and added two more victims, including Scott for a composed 67. Hand’s 3-19 off ten were by some distance the stand-out figures on a day most bowlers would be keen to forget.

Sixth wicket partnership Laurant and Ian Britton dug in, and Farley were unable to convert some half-chances. The pair added an unbroken 82, lasting 15 overs, as Bashley finished 200-5.

Farley remain top, but their points average dropped marginally ahead of Breamore’s visit on Saturday.

There was a much-needed victory for Farley’s second team at home to Steeple Langford II in Regional Division 3 North West.

Visiting openers Stuart Emm and Tom Stobbs survived Farley’s opening burst before change bowlers Phil Owen and Harry Jenkins (3-25) made the breakthrough.

Kumar made 55 in the middle order, before the returning Paul Webster removed him on his way to 3 for 17. Langford were all out for 171, with seven victims clean bowled.

Farley’s chase was anchored by Tom Pitt-Brooke, who made an excellent 56. Pete Thompson (28) kept him company before Andy Gibson and Keith Redding took Farley over the line in the 39th over.