Bowling barrage fires Farnham to victory over Chertsey

Farnham 2XI secured their fifth win of the season with a dominant seven wicket victory over bottom-of-the-table Chertsey, courtesy of a clinical blowing display at the Castle Ground.

Roshan Kapur starred with the ball as the visitors were skittled for 96, collecting three wickets for the concession of just 16 runs through his seven overs, after an impressive, economical display of bowling from Adam Elstow and Pete Goldsworthy served to lay the foundation.

In reply, Sam Ruffell - a centurion against Malden Wanderers a week prior - continued his hot streak, blistering an unbeaten 44 to seal victory for the hosts within 20 overs.

A steady cloud covering and a pitch offering pace and bounce provided much for seamers to work with, and having won the toss and elected to bat in a match rain-reduced by six overs, Chertsey were quick to rue their decision.

Elstow elicited early movement by the spadeful, and had his first victim in the eighth over with just 12 on the board, Paul Hardwick caught by Alec Goldsworthy at first slip who instinctively clutched onto the sharp chance low to his left with one hand, much to the dismay of the opener.

While his opening partner Daniel Perks appeared troubled yet unmoved by Elstow’s nagging length, wickets continued to fall at the other end. P Goldsworhy had Vishnu Remesh caught by Toby Elstow at short cover, before Mike O’Mahoney rattled Troy Bolger’s off stump, and Chertsey were reduced to 30 for three in the 15th over.

A steady show of resistance either side of Farnham’s fourth wicket - Kapur’s first - hoisted the away side to 64, before the fall of three wickets for one run. Perks (19) catalysed the collapse, eventually trapped lbw by Kapur in the 30th over, before Matthew Wiggins and Hugh Aish-Lyons followed, O’Mahony and Kapur collecting their second and third wickets respectively.

There was still time for a rearguard tenth wicket partnership to elevate Chertsey towards three figures, but A Goldsworthy closed the innings with his second wicket, Ravi Patel the man to depart caught behind.

In reply, P Goldsworthy and T Elstow settled the nerves in the opening blows before the latter fell, caught well at Gully.

It paved the way for the introduction of the returning Ollie Godden who set about the chase with pace, in the face of a re-energised and lively Chertsey.

The visiting momentum was quickly stunted, though, with a steady blow of boundaries and careful accumulation, the duo sharing a 35-run partnership before Goldsworthy top edged for seven and Godden was bowled for 25, with the score on 43.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and it was the in-form Ruffell who quickly dispelled any belief that an upset was on the cards following the flurry of wickets, taking stock before walloping Cade Skelton for consecutive straight sixes to the delight of the onlooking crowd.

He and O’Mahoney (7*) safely guided Farnham to their target, the former scoring 40 of his runs in boundaries, securing a win which saw Farnham cement their place safely in the middle of Division 1 with promotion still a mathematical possibility ahead of a trip to second-placed Sutton, Chertsey, meanwhile, were forced to accept their fate as all but relegated.