OLD MID-WHITGIFTIAN 146

FARNHAM 147-4 I Higgins 72

Farnham won by six wickets

Australian batsman Ian Higgins hit a splendid 72 as Farnham recorded only their second win of the season to drag opponents Old Mid-Whitgiftian back into the Division Two relegation battle, writes Rob Keenan.

Despite seven players reaching double figures, Mids could only muster a disappointing 146 as too many batsmen were guilty of lapses in concentration when seemingly settled at the crease.

Mids had begun well enough after being put in to bat with Richard Piggin timing the ball crisply in a stand of 30 with fellow opener Andy Bennett.

However, when Bennett was given out lbw to Dale for 11 things quickly began to go awry.

Six balls later, Piggin (16) fell to an outstanding one-handed catch at third man by Mike O’Mahony who initially appeared to have misjudged it.

Captain Stewart Sales made only 12 before falling lbw to Patrick Murphy but John McSherry, promoted to number three, steadied the innings in tandem with Robert Warne.

The real turning point came when McSherry was run out thanks to a fine piece of fielding from Higgins at point.

Nick Cook’s breezy 26 raised the tempo but when he was caught at point, Mids began to crumble against the spinners.

Having worked so hard, Warne then gave his wicket away cheaply and three further wickets fell in as many overs as Mids collapsed to 115-8.

Jon Seaman did his best to defy Farnham with an unbeaten 20 but eventually ran out of partners as Mids were bowled out in the 43rd over with young spinner Jamie Richards collecting 4-25.

In need of early wickets, Mids were given just the boost they needed when Mark Roberts trapped opener Rooney, who had looked ill at ease, lbw in the fourth over.

However, they were unable to build upon it as Higgins, an elegant player with delightful balance, tightened Farnham’s grip on the game in a stand of 76 with O’Mahony who, though troubled at times by the impressive Roberts, laid the foundations for victory, scoring 26 before being given out lbw to Tony Brugnoli.

Higgins played several sumptuous shots off the back foot as he combined with captain Guy Hicks to take Farnham to within touching distance of their target.

He was eventually caught behind off John McSherry who followed this up with the wicket of Tom Caines but by this point, it was to be nothing more than consolation as Hicks (36 not out) saw Farnham home.

Mids sit third bottom in the league, seven points ahead of Farnham and 22 ahead of Horsley & Send.

Mids will need to bat much better if they are to stand a chance against second-placed Beddington on Saturday.