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Finchampstead CC Match Reports - Saturday 20th July 2024

Finchampstead CC Match Reports - Saturday 20th July 2024

Kwame Appiah28 Jul - 16:40
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Match number eleven in HCPCL Division One as table toppers and Finchampstead made the short journey to Wargrave.

On winning the toss, Finch skipper Chris Britz elected to bat first on a good-looking pitch, but with cloud cover. Finch openers raced to 37 in five overs, before the fine strokes by James Isbell saw him depart for 30; caught behind. The 100 was up in 23 overs with good batting by Greg Smith and Chris Britz. Then at 114, Greg was caught for his sound 45.
Chris and Josh Pistorius continued the stroke play, before at 175 and 39 overs gone, Josh was run out by a direct throw by Josh Lincoln. The 200 came up in 46 overs but at 214, Tommie Predgen was out lbw. Then Chris batted on with the able Ben Salter. The pair stroked 70 in seven overs, before Ben was caught at deep mid-wicket for 32. With seven available overs remaining, the magnificent innings of 131 by Chris Britz ended caught and bowled by Euan Woods. Two more wickets fell as Finches closed on an impressive 320 for 8 in 64 overs. For Wargrave, Euan Woods returned 5 – 64 in 20 overs.

Wargrave also started very strongly. Openers Rhys Lewis and Robbie Farina were fluent in their stroke play, mainly led by the forceful Lewis. The pair put on 107 in 20 overs before Farina fell lbw to Chris Britz for 43. Then with Euan Woods at the crease, the tempo continued with the pair putting on 71 more runs in 12 overs.

At 168, Finches obtained the long awaited second wicket with Lewis caught by Ben Salter at deep midwicket for his fine 87. At this point, the hosts needed 153 at under 7 an over and eight wickets in hand.

The match then dramatically changed with 200 on the board. Firstly, Euan Woods after hitting Lewis Sharp for two successive fours was bowled next ball by him for 49. Then in the 44th and 45th overs two batsmen were run out. First was Sravin Konidena then Dan Lincoln after taking a tight run. Then in the 47th over Josh Lincoln was caught at deep gully to see Wargrave now in trouble at 221 for 6 and nine overs remaining.

With one over remaining Finches had gathered two more wickets. Toby Greatwood and Neal Robinson both fell to catches to see Wargrave close on 240 – 8 and the draw 80 runs ahead. A fine performance not only with the batting, but in the field by holding on after the fine start to the run chase by Wargrave then taking 7 wickets in the last 23 overs. The 16 points leave Finches still top of the table 9 points clear.

Full action as usual for the four TVCL sides. The Seconds in Division 3A hosted Wargrave Seconds. Batting first, Wargrave posted 218 – 7 with Matt Harper taking 4 – 85. An outstanding response as Finches won at 220 – 2. The innings was led by an exceptional 112 not out by Joe Sheldon and 41 by Dilan Patel. Finches remain unbeaten table toppers after eleven matches.

The Thirds in 4A hosted Emmbrook & Bearwood on the Leas. Finches were all out for 158 with Wes Roberts 37. The visitors comfortably won at 159 – 3. The fourths played at near neighbours Eversley Thirds in 7A. The hosts batting first posted 197 – 9 with Lewis O’Donoghue taking 4 – 33 and Chris May 4 – 45. Finches lost by 47 runs being 150 all out. Henry Crowhurst hit 48 for Finches.

The Fifths in 10C hosted a strong Reading Fourth side. Finches were 161 all out with Ananth Rahman 47. Reading at 164 – 5 won by 5 wickets.

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