A THRILLING knock from teenager Lewis Wakeford gave Farley the sniff of an improbable victory at Pylewell Park in County Division 4 North.

Chasing the hosts' 232-5, Farley crumbled to 49-4 against the bounce and pace of the rangy Jamie Truell. Andy Coveney (40) and Dave Glanvill staged something of a recovery, but both fell in quick succession to the wily Royan.

At 122-8 with 12 overs to go, Farley seemed down and out. But Wakeford had other ideas. Having started slowly, with just two singles in his first 17 balls, he cut loose - using his feet to strike Tranter for two straight sixes. He dominated a ninth wicket stand of 50 with Jake Hand to reach his first league half century.

When Hand was trapped in front, there were still 60 to get in seven overs. Wakeford tore into the returning Truell, slamming him back past his head and through midwicket while taking 18 off an over. Pylewell began to feel the pressure and with nine balls to go and 18 needed, the game was in the balance.

But having reached 91 off 67 balls, Wakeford took one risk too many, with Truell slipping one past his swing to claim his fifth victim and Farley were declared 214 all out, losing by 18 runs.

Farley's second team claimed a third consecutive win at home to Bashley V. Andy Stagg and Keith Redding (44) provided the platform, with a century stand for the first wicket. Stagg progressed to 80, and handy contributions from Ian Swain, Pete Thompson and Pete Hillman saw Farley to 214-6.

It was then time for the younger Stagg to take centre stage. Andy's son, Ed, reduced Bashley to 16-4, and though the middle order rallied with a 90-run partnership, Ryan Boase (3-50) ensured there was no twist in the tale.

Ed Stagg returned to claim his first ever five wicket haul, and Bashley ended up 24 runs short on 190-9.

The win puts Farley up to fourth.