A STUNNING eighth wicket stand of 91 between BJ Cole and Ted Glanvill saw Farley snatch an improbable victory at home to CBBEA, opening up a 34-point lead at the top of Regional Division One (West).

Having elected to field first on a damp track, Farley started in fine fashion as they removed the visitors’ prolific top three for 37. Glanvill recovered from last week’s attack of the yips to remove the dangerous Schulkins with a ball that moved late, then two good catches accounted for Wright and McLean.

The fourth wicket pair of Light and Mills staged something of a recovery, adding 65. They were just threatening to accelerate when Paul Roberts bowled Light (39) and claimed Mills (35) the same way a few overs later.

The lower order then struggled to force the pace against Farley’s spinners, with Jake Hand claiming two scalps in a teasing spell that saw CBBEA add only 45 in the last twelve overs.

Farley scorer and groundsman Gwyn Blenkinsop, forced out of retirement after a last-minute withdrawal, also got in on the action with a precise run out from backward point.

CBBEA finished on 167-8, well below-par at Farley this season.

But that total looked a long way off as Farley’s top order crumbled to 32-3 against the wily Saxena. BJ Cole went on the offensive, slamming several boundaries in a partnership of 40 with Dave Glanvill, but when the latter fell there was a middle order collapse that saw Farley teetering on 79-7.

The visitors attempted to keep Cole quiet and feed the younger Glanvill the strike, but that move backfired as Ted carved and sliced the ball through the offside field repeatedly. Cole, meanwhile, combined vigilant defence and a few moments of fortune – including some adept footwork to avoid playing on – with blistering pulls and crisp drives.

CBBEA sagged in the field as the stand built, and the pair took full advantage. In just over 10 overs, the pair raced to victory, Glanvill hitting the winning runs at the end of the 33rd over to finish on a vital 35. Cole took the plaudits for his 94.

The win keeps Farley on top of the table with five games to play.

Andy Stagg’s unbeaten century wasn’t enough to help Farley’s second team overcome Wilton. Stagg ensured Farley reached 181-4, but with only eight men it was always going to be a difficult task in the field.

Wilton skipper Jonny Shergold replied with a century of his own to see his side home by six wickets.