FARLEY’S Regional Division One title hopes were all but extinguished as they slipped to a 64-run defeat at rivals Winton.

With heavy rain forecast for early evening, Farley elected to field first and had the best of the early exchanges. Ted Glanvill found excellent movement to claim three wickets in his opening salvo and, at halfway, Winton were 95-4.

However, an outstanding fifth wicket stand between Matt Clark and Ali Williams took the game from Farley. Quick on his feet, Clark played some stylish shots all around the park on his way to 62 while Williams, after some initial hesitancy, proved an extremely clean striker of the ball. He hit nine sixes, eight of them in the arc between extra cover and mid on, as he made his way to 104.

Geoff Ramsey removed them both at the end, but Winton finished on 258-6.

The predicted rain arrived during the tea interval, but quickly eased off, leaving Farley chasing a reduced target of 250 in 39 overs. Openers Simon Wakeford and Mike Covill were initially watchful as drizzle returned, but as they began to accumulate, the home side became increasingly agitated. Wakeford fell for 21, and two quick wickets left Farley at 66-3 in the 17th over.

As the rain eased, the wet ball proved hard to grip and Covill and Dave Glanvill added a rapid half century stand. Almost unnoticed, Covill slipped past 1,000 league runs for the season, but there was no room for celebration as he fell for 62. Glanvill followed soon after for 31, and with him Farley’s hopes ebbed away. It was then a matter of a quest for bonus points, but Farley finished on 194-9.

The result leaves Winton in pole position. Farley need to win their final game at home to Langley Manor III and hope that Winton falter at Exbury.

Farley’s second team secured a 40-run victory over IBM Hursley. Farley’s 165-8 was a tad below par but a good bowling display saw the visitors dismissed for 125.