Farnham’s Surrey Championship game with Spencer CC ended in a draw after rain put an end to play.

Spencer opening bowler Mike Edwards pulled up injured one ball into his fourth over and Farnham took full advantage. Openers Nathan Thorpe and Guy Hicks (23) put on 60 and when the latter edged behind off Dom Johnsen’s short-pitched ball, Toby Davies joined Thorpe in another half-century partnership.

Thorpe was stumped by Archie Macpherson for 44 and with their spinners causing problems for the batsmen and Toby Ward surviving several shouts for lbw, Spencer sensed the chance of a breakthrough.

However, Ward found his timing and led a stunning counter-attack with four sixes – the fourth into the car park and three in a row off skipper Gus Grant.

With Davies content to support his partner, Ward brought up his 50 from just 37 balls with another powerful boundary.

His brilliant innings was brought to an end soon afterwards when he was trapped in front by Sameer Khan for 59 (five 6s, five 4s).

Davies also went, stumped by Macpherson for 46, and Farnham had powered to 207-4 from 43 overs when rain stopped play, although it wasn’t until 6pm that the game was abandoned.

Farnham 2nd XI were also in a strong position when rain brought an early end to their Premier Division fixture away to Spencer II.

The visitors were inserted after Jamie Strachan had lost the toss again, but the Spencer bowlers were wayward and Strachan and Wes Taylor scored freely. Both completed half-centuries without offering a chance and Taylor had reached 55 when he was leg before to Hadleigh Cameron.

Farnham were a promising 125-1 off 26 overs, with Strachan unbeaten on 54, when the rain came. Farnham could take many positives from their start – a marked improvement on the week before.

The local derby between Guildford III and Farnham III (3rd XI Div II) was abandoned, with the home side in a good position at Stoke Rec. Veteran skipper Tim Walter made 59 and Jevan Kher was undefeated on 52 as Guildford reached 176-4 in 45 overs.