ROB Goldsworthy and Guy Hicks produced outstanding individual performances as Farnham conjured a victory out of the very wet weather on Saturday.

Farnham made the long trip to Earlsfield in South-West London on the back of a terrible weather forecast. Heavy rain was inevitable, but it was still dry on arrival and the toss was going to be crucial.

Tom Grimes called right and promptly inserted Spencer who badly needed a win to remain in contention for promotion. Farnham made the perfect start as George Osborne rushed James Smith into a false shot and Grimes held the top-edge at point.

The young pair of Aymun Ali and Saqib Malik looked to rebuild and added 55 runs before Goldsworthy hit a purple patch in his superb 16-over spell.

Bowling with great control in the helpful conditions, he constantly asked questions of the batsmen and worked his way through the middle order with ruthless efficiency.

Spencer subsided from 66-1 to 98-8. Goldsworthy received excellent support from first-change Rob Dale, while Hicks held three brilliant catches, one being a contender for catch of the season – one-handed and at full stretch.

The last pair of Gus Grant (20 not out) and Syed Jafri put up some resistance and Spencer reached 130-9 at lunch after 31 overs.

With the weather deteriorating and rain clouds bearing down fast, Spencer took the bold decision to declare during the interval, skipper Jon Speller obviously feeling this gave his side their best chance of a win.

Batting was likely to be tough in the heavy conditions and Speller himself is one of the most prolific bowlers in the Surrey Championship.

However, Spencer had not allowed for Hicks making a spectacular return to batting form after a lean season thus far. He made his intentions clear in the first over by crashing Speller through the covers for four – a shot he repeated several times in the early overs to leave Speller with an expensive none for 43 after five overs.

Abid Jafri quickly dismissed Joel Walker and Nathan Thorpe, however, and Farnham were an uneasy 22-2 when Toby Davies came in to help Hicks put on 58 important runs.

Hicks reached a stylish 50 before Davies was caught behind and Farnham had their two senior batsmen – Hicks and Ciaran Rooney – together as the first spots of rain arrived.

It was a race against the weather and the pair took the attack to Spencer, adding a quickfire 45 to take the visitors to within sniffing distance of victory.

With just six runs needed, Hicks was bowled by Jafri for 82 off 97 balls, including 11 fours and a six. An exceptional effort in the testing conditions.

A nonchalant pull for four by Jamie Strachan and a drive over the top by Rooney sealed the victory just before the heavens opened.

This was the last game of the timed format and with no other side managing to complete a match in the Surrey Championship Division?One (or the Premier Division), Farnham will return to the limited-overs format in buoyant mood.

Farnham are home to Leatherhead this Saturday (start 12 noon).

• At the Park, Farnham 2nd XI declared at 179-6 after 41 overs. Spencer II were 33-1 in 11 overs when the players went off.