Finch 1’s
Fine conditions on Saturday as Finches hosted strong opponents Oxford Downs in match six of the HCPL. This was the first of the nine 120 overs timed matches.

On winning the toss Oxford Downs elected to bat first. But their start was nothing short of remarkable for Finches. Kiwi Liam Dudding took a wicket first ball with a mid-wicket catch. Then he bowled Luke Maslen with the fourth ball so 2 wickets for no runs. A partial recovery to 41 by the third over ended with the third wicket for Liam with a catch behind. Next ball Liam secured an lbw and returned fine figures of 4–22 on his birthday.

Liam secured the fifth wicket at 60 with a caught behind to leave the visitors in some trouble. They did recover to 110–5 at the lunch interval but soon after it was 113–6 in the 30th over when Freddie Smith was bowled by spinner James Woodford. One run later Liam secured a fifth wicket bowled so 114–7. A recovery was led by Tom Castley who fell at 186 for his 54 caught off James. The end soon came at 190 in 59 overs. Liam finished with a fine 6–45 and James 3–30 in a sound bowling performance.

A poor start for Finches in their reply. Tommie Predgen fell lbw with four on the board then James Isbell was caught behind leaving Finch 21–2. But then Greg Smith and Dan Marles steadily built up the needed partnership. After putting on 83 in 24 overs Greg fell caught for his well-made 55. Next ball Dan was adjudged lbw so 104–4 in the 31st over.

Few further problems despite quality spin bowling by Louis Delport for Downs. Fine strokes from Eddie Campion in his first match back after injury and by Ben Salter. The match was won at 191 – 4 with 13 overs remaining. Eddie ended 48 not out and Ben 35 not out in the comfortable 6 wicket win.

The win and remaining unbeaten a third of the way in the competition leaves Finches in second slot with 99 points – 13 behind leaders High Wycombe.

Finch 2’s
Travelled to Sonning who chose bat after winning the toss. Anthony Parson picked up the early prize wicket of ex-text player Muhammad Ayub and despite regular partnerships Finch kept the run rate in check. Paul Stephens and Kailan Patel both took 3 wickets, and Anthony Parson took 1-15 in 8 overs ensuring Sonning were kept to 202-8 off 52 overs.

In reply Finch started well against a high-class predominantly spin heavy bowling attack. Once the first wicket fell at 40, wickets fell regularly with Connor Rees crucially bowled for 39 when the score was 120-6. Louis Crerar however made a fine 46 but when he was out Finch were left with no option to ensure they claimed a draw finishing on 182-8. A high-quality game with all 3 results heavily in-play throughout the chase. Finch remain in 4th place.

Finch 3’s
Were at home to Hurst Rangers and Finch opted to bat first. The top 4 all got in, however couldn’t pass 30 leaving Finch precariously placed at 100-5. Wes Roberts (62) and Aidan Muir (60*) combined with fine counter-attacking strokes to push Finch up to 233-8 off 51 overs and allowed Finch to aggressively declare an over early.

Finch bowled well ensuring Hurst were always behind the required rate and lost regular wickets. Aidan Muir 3-40 and Tom Allen 3-45 ensured the win for Hurst was not possible when they were reduced to 133-8. Unfortunately for Finch no further wickets fell in the final 8 overs. A winning draw gave Finch a 16-point haul on the day however.

Finch 4’s
Travelled to Crowthorne & Crownwood and after winning the toss batted as ever. Two wickets fell early however Steve Raubenheimer and Rui Wright remained highly aggressive on a desperately slow wicket. Rui fell for a run a ball 38 but Steve continued eventually falling for a fine 81. Minimal support however left Finch 174-8 but Rakesh Patel in the final ten overs smashed the ball to all parts making 75 from just 46 balls. Finch finally all out for 250 which seemed well above par.

Ben Amor’s excellent opening spell along with more fine fielding meant Crowthorne were 48-4 off the first 15 overs and the result never in doubt. Finn Borkowski once again took 3 wickets for the third game running and after a frustrating period of 15 overs where Crowthorne made no effort to attempt to chase the score they were finally bowled out for 147 - Ben Amor 3-7 & Matt Harper 2-27. Finch moved to joint 3rd with the top 2 to come in the coming weeks.

Finch 5’s
Were made to bowl first away at Aldershot. Finch were well positioned at the half-way stage reducing Aldershot to 110-3. Aldershot’s middle-order however flourished and really made Finch bowlers pay during the death overs putting on 100 in the final ten. They finished on 256-4 from 40 overs. Ahmet Tuney 2-29 from 8 the pick of the bowlers.
Finch were always struggling to keep close to the required run rate. Sean Cilliers made 45 and despite a quick-fire 53 from Nick Hutchings Finch were never in the hunt, finishing their innings on a respectable 196-6.

Finch Women hosted Ballinger Waggoners (near Great Missenden) in their first game after being awarded last week's fixture. Finch lost the toss and quickly reduced BW to 13-3. The large crowd on the main ground did fear a very early finish, however dug-in to put together some partnerships to eventually post 124-7 from their 35 overs. Shreya Killi 3-24 and Freya Johnson 2-8.

Finch showed their class with the bat peppering the boundary at will and rarely being unable to rotate strike. The opening batters Sahasra Gupta 36* and Zaara Norat 69* chasing down the total in just 14 overs for an emphatic 10-wicket victory. With the HCPL reinstating Finch into a lower league than requested, promotion is the undoubted aim for the Women’s side and they certainly laid down a marker for the rest of the season.

PCA England Legends Club Day
Finch v PCA XI on Friday will certainly go down as one of the greatest club days in recent memory. Thanks must go to Nirvana for sponsoring the event and supplying a large team months prior to the event and during the event itself. Special praise from a Finch perspective must go to Phil Amy, Paul Clayton and Verity Johnson who were ever present during weekly planning meetings and integral on the day.

Over 120 local school children attended coaching sessions in the morning, carried out by many of our First team players and three selected members of the PCA XI. 200 people were in the marquee for lunch plus Q&A prior to the game with thanks to all who provided and bid on the auction items and raffle.

Once the game commenced around 15:45 whilst we can only estimate the general consensus was that around 1000 spectators were in attendance with the sunny weather also playing its part in the day. A band followed after the game and celebrations continued well into the evening. Thank you to all members of the PCA side who were approachable, went above and beyond to help, told stories engaging with all during the day and ensured an entertaining game played in a great spirit. PCA XI won by 39 runs (PCA XI 194-4 & Finch 155-6). James Woodford 3-15 awarded Finch Player of the Match.

A selection of photos are below taken by our very own talented Josh Spencer. The full gallery of photos captured throughout the day are now uploaded on his portal (Joshua Spencer - Finchampstead vs PCA Legends).

Upcoming Fixtures
Thursday – Wokingham (Home) T20 Midweek XI
1’s – Slough (A)
2’s – Stoke Green (H)
3’s – Bracknell Utd (A)
4’s – Bracknell Utd (H)
5’s – Holyport (Home however this fixture is at Blewbury CC)