02-08-2008 - Home - HCP - Finch vs Basingstoke

Finch make hay when sun eventually shines...

Finch skipper Taylors poor run with the toss finally came to an end when Basingstoke skipper Stokes called incorrectly and, for the first time in 10 efforts, Taylor had a decision to make. With steady drizzle, a wet outfield and prospects of a shortened match Taylor chose to field first. The match was duely reduced by 18 overs and Basingstoke would have a maximum of 51 overs.

Opener Droy edged the unlucky Darron Augustus for four boundaries in the first 3 overs but Augustus was to get his revenge as he removed Droy caught at the wicket by Bellending his fortunate stay. Next up the 'evergreen' and hound-like Bloyce dimissed the dangerous, but possibly hung over Latouf for his second wicket of the day. Mitchel Stokes then produced a fine innings of 108 as he went at over a run-a-ball to give his side a chance to post a good total on a drying pitch. Stokes fell to the almost bearded Cheetham as Anthony Parson took a good catch in the deep which was to be the first of three snaffles for the frequently showering and fun-loving pace bowler. The score was 157 and Stokes had 108 of those. Basingstoke needed a boost from the middle and late order and they got it in the form of Rouse (36) and Kumaran 'triple word score' Thirunavukkarasu (33).  Bloyce retrieved figures of 3-25, Cheetham lorded his way to 2-34 and Harper produced a well rounded 4-69 as Blasingsmoke finished on 239 all out in the 46th over.

This left the warbling wonders just 44 overs to chase down 240. The earlier weather conditions were a thing of the past as sunshine rained down on openers Cheetham and the chubby funster RP Lane. Cheetham (17) survived a close shave when he actually could have done with one and eventually succumbed with the score on 69 in the 15th over. The burley Bucks all rounder then went into overdrive as he smashed 3 sixes and 13 fours on his way to a superb 94. The run rate could have rightly been expected to dip away with the loss of Lane but the chunder from down under Patterson (63not out) and the whiskered Welsh wonder Jones (50not out) wacked their way to 240 with over 11 overs to spare. A fantasic all round effort from Finch meant 25 points and second place in the table as they completed the double over a very solid Basingstoke outfit.
 

Statistics

Finchampstead won the toss and elected to field
Result	Win
Scorers	N B Doody
Score
Finchampstead CC Scored 240 for 2 in 33.3
Basingstoke Scored 239 for 10 in 45.5

Player Performance - Batsmen

Player	How out	Runs	Catch	Stump
Russell Lane	Caught	94	1	0
Matt Jones	Not Out	50	0	0
Scott Patterson	Not Out	63	0	0
Sam Cheetham	Caught	17	0	0

Player Performance - Bowlers

Player	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Sam Taylor	1	0	5	0
Russell Lane	4	1	24	0
Steve Bloyce	9	1	25	3
Darron Augustus	6	1	41	1
Sam Cheetham	10	1	34	2
Anthony Parson	4	0	26	0
Matt Harper	12	0	69	4