Henley 3rd XI were left to reflect on a difficult afternoon with the bat as Farley Hill produced a disciplined run chase to secure a six-wicket victory in Thames Valley League Division 5A.

Having won the toss, Henley elected to bat first but found conditions difficult throughout their innings. The wicket was not straightforward and, although several players managed to get starts, nobody was able to settle in for long enough to build the substantial innings Henley needed.

Atwal struck three early boundaries in making 14 before being caught and bowled by Hart, while Haider-Ali Baig showed plenty of patience at the other end. Kate added nine before Henley slipped from 45-1 to 60-5, with the middle order unable to establish a partnership.

Haider-Ali Baig had battled hard for his 20 from 66 balls before falling at 51, but Henley continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Price provided some much-needed impetus with 17 from 29 balls, including two fours and a six, while Garfath-Nebbett contributed a brisk 11. However, when Dyer was bowled for 14 with the score on 104, Henley had lost their ninth wicket and appeared in danger of being dismissed well short of a competitive total.

The final pair of Taylor and Taimoor-Ali Baig at least gave the innings some late momentum. Baig struck 16 from 27 deliveries and Taylor remained unbeaten on nine as the pair added 30 for the final wicket, taking Henley to 134 all out from 42.2 overs.

It was a total which gave Henley something to defend, but Farley Hill approached the chase in exactly the manner required on a wicket that demanded patience.

Openers Holani and Sheridan were prepared to take their time, avoiding unnecessary risks and gradually taking the game away from Henley. Rather than trying to force the pace, both waited for scoring opportunities and put together a decisive opening partnership of 91.

Holani eventually fell lbw to Haider-Ali Baig for 33 from 63 balls before Taylor bowled Sheridan, also for 33, five runs later.

Henley briefly had an opening when Taylor picked up his second wicket, removing Das for six, and Garfath-Nebbett later bowled Jalil for 14. However, Farley Hill had done the hard work during the opening partnership and Bashir's unbeaten 12 guided them towards the target.

Kenchath finished the match in emphatic fashion with a six as Farley Hill reached 137-4 from 31.2 overs.

Taylor finished with 2-41 from nine overs, including two maidens, while Garfath-Nebbett and Haider-Ali Baig claimed a wicket each.

For Henley, the frustration will be that several batters got themselves started without anyone going on to play the innings the conditions demanded. Farley Hill, by contrast, demonstrated the value of application and patience, taking few risks and ensuring that Henley's modest total was chased down comfortably.