FARLEY'S second team staged a remarkable comeback to extend their lead at the top of Hampshire League Regional Division Two North West, writes PAUL ROBERTS.

After opting to bat against a strong Totton & Eling 3rds, the Farley innings was immediately in disarray against the bowling of Joseph Stevens and Khajit Sharma.

The hosts were reduced to 18-6 before Andy Redding (19) and Gary Seymour (26) provided some resistance.

Despite their efforts, Farley were 72-9 before a dramatic last wicket stand.

John Amos dug in, showing impressive technique, while Mike Scrase added some fireworks.

In his first outing of the season and only playing due to a last-minute withdrawal, Scrase applied the long handle to hit two sixes and three fours on his way to 30.

The partnership was worth 46 runs, but had shifted the momentum.

From the start of the Totton response, Farley were tigerish in the field.

Seymour bowled his opening five overs for just two runs (in wides) and picked up two early wickets.

Jake Hand's teasing flight dismissed key man Bungay, courtesy of a George Manston stumping.

The change bowlers were just as tight, Phil Winslow claiming three victims and Amos conceding just seven runs in his five overs.

Hand returned to prove too tempting for the tail, finishing with 5-12 as Totton were all out for 48.

Next week sees Farley travel to second place Collingbourne.

It was an altogether more straightforward win for Farley's first team, down at Fawley, on the back of another outstanding performance in the field.

Marc Burton led the way, bowling his nine overs for just three runs and claiming two wickets.

Manny Gurung was almost as frugal, as Fawley struggled to get the rate up to two an over.

Sam Burton and Geoff Ramsey both grabbed their first victims of the campaign and Sam Waters (3-13) finished things off as Fawley was all out for 85 in the 39th over.

By contrast, Farley had 17 on the board at the end of the first over as Ramesh Gurung took full advantage of some loose bowling.

He added 52 with Ramsey before the latter played on.

There were no further alarms, as Ramesh proceeded to his third half century of the summer, Farley winning by nine wickets inside 12 overs.