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Finchampstead CC Match Reports - 11th May 2019

Finchampstead CC Match Reports - 11th May 2019

Kwame Appiah11 May 2019 - 13:24
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Five sides were fielded by Finchampstead on the opening day of the league season.

The senior side hosted promoted Datchet in division One of the HCPL and the other four sides competed in the TVCL.

Hosting promoted Datchet Finches elected to bat first in good but likely to be changeable conditions. They started smoothly with Greg Smith and Tommie Predgen putting 28 on the board in eight overs. But then Tommie played on cutting at seamer Ollie Smithson. Immediately the match completely changed as Greg Smith and Toby Albert were both run out from tight runs so 29 – 3 in nine overs.

Two overs later and rain stopped play for 30 minutes. But the ground was fortunate that the rain was not nearly as ferocious as reported nearby. No reduction in the overs but Finches found any rebuilding difficult against the accurate Datchet bowling. At 60 two more wickets fell. At 87 skipper Dan Lincoln was lbw to spinner Ollie Birts for 32. So Finches in real trouble and only 26 overs bowled.

Datchet skipper Steve Naylor joined Birts in the attack and the pair soon ended the Finches innings. Birts took two more wickets with Naylor also two. Finches were dismissed for a very disappointing 125 in 36 overs.

Clearly the modest score was looking to be well in the grasp of Datchet. This proved to be the case in real style. Openers Joe Barrett and Steve Naylor were not parted as the visitors raced to the target in 22 overs. Finches used six bowlers but could make no impression as Barrett 70 not out and Naylor 54 not out secured the outstanding 10 wicket win and a great start to their top division status.

The Seconds visited Beaconsfield Firsts in division 2B of the TVCL. Although not at expected strength Finches totalled 180 with Andy Lazenbury 37 and Andy Davis 35. After rain affected play Beaconsfield won under D/L at 132 – 4. There were two wickets for promising Henry Leach.

The Thirds also missing players in their tough 3A division hosted Boyne Hill Seconds. This was the second 10 wicket drubbing at Finchampstead setting some form of local record both sides here being firsts and thirds failing to take a wicket ! Finches were all out for 67. Boyne Hill passed the score at 68 without loss to win the match.

I division 6B the Fourths visited Reading Thirds. Reading posted 200 – 6 with Adil Mohammed taking 3 – 34. Finches at 144 – 9 lost the match. Skipper Chris Ward scored 31.
Better for the Fifths promoted to division 8A. Visiting Bracknell Seconds Finches batted first. They totalled 188 – 5 with Scott Osler 54 and Matt Rowley 39. Bracknell were dismissed for a modest 117 with Nick Tinsley 4 – 4 and Matt Arnold 3 – 45. So a good win to start the season in the higher division.

NEIL DOODY 12 MAY 2019

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