23-05-2009 - Away - TVL - Beaconsfield vs Finch

Two Tuns for Finch Guns

 Loveday's Layabouts produced another great team performance to down fellow leaders Beaconsfield to go top of the table after 3 games. After winning the toss again skipper Loveday decided to take advantage of batting first on a decent deck. Opening were Nephew and Uncle again but this time both of the family members were determined to capitalise on their chances. Todd was particularily harsh on the spinners as he amassed 107. At the other end Brogan was dealing with the seamers with relative ease. Broges escaped a 'fairly good' shout for a run out when he was 60 but he seemed to gather momentum and a fine and agressive second fifty lead to an unbeaten 111. When Todd was bowled by a ball that didn't get up Beaconfield would have prayed for the runs to dry up but Loveday had other ideas as he plundered another unbeaten fifty, his third in as many games, in double quick time. This set up an early declaration of 286 in 45 overs.

Beaconfield batters had 55 overs to reach their target but, after spinners McInnes and Harper, they were soon in trouble at 30-4. McInnes's legspin once again proved too much for a Thames Valley top order. Finches then seemed to switch off and assume the rest of the Beaconsfield side would just roll over. This was not the case as James Sherry and veteran Mick Farnon batted very well and gave their side a chance. Sherry (70) was bowled first ball after drinks by Harper and Farnon (47) was LBW to the same bowler. The game turned again as Beaconsfield lost their way again as young West struck twice. He keep his head well after taking some stick from Sherry in his first over. Beaconsfield middle/lower order showed some real fight as they got their team back into the contest but timely wickets saw them 9 down. More runs were added and the odd chance went begging until, at 225, McInnes claimed his 5th wicket with a superb leaping catch for Steve Brogan at short mid-wicket. It was a great way to end a good contest which sent Finch clear at the top of the table. Loveday's timely declaration and Finches strong batting had given the bowlers every chance at sealing 25 points...and they did just that.
 

Notes - Legspinner McInnes has 15 wickets in the first 3 games. Skipper Loveday has 176 runs and has yet to be out in 2009. Spinners Harper and McInnes have claimed 25 out of 30 wickets between them. At this stage last season Finch had 28 points - in 2009 they have 60.

Statistics

Finchampstead won the toss and elected to bat
Result	Win
Score
Finchampstead CC Scored 286 for 1 in 45
Beaconsfield Scored 225 for 10 in 49.2

Player Performance - Batsmen

Player	How out	Runs	Catch	Stump
Gary Loveday	Not Out	54	0	0
Aaron Todd	Bowled	107	1	0
Steve Brogan	Not Out	111	1	0

Player Performance - Bowlers

Player	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
James Cowie	4	2	6	0
Mark McInnes	19	3	97	5
Phil West	6	1	29	2
Matt Harper	18	4	87	3