06-08-2011 - Home - TVL - Finch vs Datchet

Finch 2nds vs Datchet

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On dank and indifferent August day Finchampstead 2nd XI welcomed Datchet.  With the performance of the previous week against Winsor still fresh in the memory it was a must win game for the Budgies.

Datchet won the toss and elected to bat on pitch that should have provided a high scoring game; a sentiment that Datchet clearly agreed with as the opening batsmen seemed happy to play their shots from the off.  Matt Bell came down the hill and immediately fell into a good rhythm getting the ball to move away from the right-hander.  The Finchampstead pace man soon gained reward for his efforts getting the Datchet captain caught and bowled for 4. 

With Bell bowling so well, the call went out to bring the ever dependable Nathan Clarke into the attack to replace Marles.  With Aldis fresh to the wicket it was crucial for budgies to try and build some pressure and not let Datchet bully the bowling.  Bell and Clarke executed this plan well - despite some less than athletic fielding from a certain opening batsmen in the side – Clarke soon had his reward for a tight spell of bowling with Aldis top edging a ball that went almost to the moon and back, before Marles running round from Mid–off held onto an excellent and very well judged catch.

Bell, continuing to ball with excellent pace and shape soon had the Datchet middle order in a great deal of difficulty getting the remaining opener caught behind for 21, Leppan then came and went in a flurry of bat speed and fresh air caught expertly by Tom Potter at 4th slip.  Bell and Potter then combined again having Oram snared at gully for 3.  Reducing Datchet to 58 for 5 and decimating the middle order.

However Finches work was not yet done as Tilly and Shepherd, L put together a partnership to rebuild the innings.  For a while it appeared Datchet may have found the escape club but for excellent spells of spin bowling from both Potter and Gaffney who tied the pair down well – frustration got the better of Tilly and he was caught by Marles on the long on boundary off the bowling of Gaffers for 32.  Gaffney followed that up by bowling Shepherd for 57 and despite some decent blows from the Datchet tail a run out and 2 wickets from Potter ensured Datchet were all out for 185.

A strong bowling display from the Finchampstead side was lead by Matt Bell who took responsibility as the strike bowler and returned with figures of 4-39 from 11 overs.  Supported well by Clarke, Gaffney and Potter, along with a good catching display, meant that the Finchampstead were in the box seat going into the second half.

Post the tea frivolities Shepherd, M and Adkins went out to open the Finchampstead reply.  For the first time this year the opposition took the new ball and it soon paid dividence with Shepherd being trapped LBW for 4.  Will Allum came to the crease at 3 and looked comfortable playing some good shots to get the scoreboard moving.  However when he flicked a ball to mid on and was dismissed for 13 with Adkins following soon after adjudged LBW Finchampstead were reeling at 24-3.

Despite the madness of the first half hour and the expose of the middle order Archer and Miles seemed calm and composed.  Being in against the new ball with the quicker bowlers seemed to help Archer settle and find some form, supported well by Marles, who is very much becoming the rock of the middle order.  The two rebuilt the Finchampstead innings with Archer being watchful at first but then playing a number shots to bring him 50 off just 58 balls before being bowled by Shepherd, L.

Harper joined Marles and the Finchampstead stalwart negotiated what has been a notoriously tricky role this season for the side well to see the game home with a comfortable 6 wicket win.  Marles finished unbeaten on 55 and Harper 34 off just 28 balls.

A valuable 20 point win for the young Finch 2nd XI lifting them out of the bottom 3 for the first time this season came at a good time as they enter two crucial weeks starting with Basingstoke away.  Credit must go to Matt Bell who took the honors of man match for his bowling display whilst Archer, Marles and Harper all deserve great credit for ensuring the side didn’t miss the opportunity after a poor start.

A final correction for all the regular readers the future (potentially) Mrs Gaffers who two weeks ago it was said her first name was either Charlotte or Becky is in fact Kate or Katy… who knows, maybe Gaffers will introduce us all one day.  In the mean time Sherp’s army march onwards and upwards.   By Dan Adkins.
 

Statistics

Datchet won the toss and elected to bat
Result	Win
Umpires	Mike Carter / Adrian Saunders
Scorers	Avril Acres
Score
Finchampstead CC Scored 187 for 4 in 34.4
Datchet Scored 185 for 10 in 50.5

Player Performance - Batsmen

Player	How out	Runs	Catch	Stump
Mark Shepherd	LBW	4	0	0
Dan Adkins	LBW	1	0	0
Will Allum	Caught	13	0	0
Archy Rajapakse	Bowled	54	0	0
Dan Marles	Not Out	54	0	0
Matt Harper	Not Out	34	0	0

Player Performance - Bowlers

Player	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Dan Marles	3	0	19	0
Tom Potter	14.5	1	46	2
Jonny Gaffney	11	2	33	2
Matt Bell	11	1	39	4
Nathan Clarke	11	2	33	1