Finch 1st XI

Mainly cloudy but dry conditions as on winning the toss Finch skipper Greg Smith asked Aston Rowant to take first strike. Opening the bowling with Ben Salter and Liam Bulteel the move soon paid off. Ben had Tristan Roussou caught at slip in the fourth over with 11 on the board. More followed as at 36 and 14 overs bowled two more fell. Ben removed Fred Little then on joining the attack Lewis Sharp trapped Haydn Roussou lbw so 36 – 3.

But steady batting by opener Chris Watling and Les Hayes moved the score on to 80 by the 31st over. Then on joining the attack spinner Samm Daniel had Hayes caught at slip. Then in the 37th over Ben Salter removed Josh Smith and at the same score the good innings of Chris Watling ended lbw to Samm. So 109 – 6 for the hosts. By the 45th over Samm had taken two more wickets with a lbw and slip catch so a difficult 124 – 8 scoreline for Rowant.

Then Rowant settled in well to see a valuable stand of 53 in 15 overs. It ended with the introduction of off spinner James Woodford who had Tom Purdson stumped then bowled Karl Penhale so seeing the hosts all out for 196 in the final 64th over. Josh McTaggart remain unbeaten on 49 not out. For Finches Samm Daniel returned 4 – 77, Ben Salter 3 – 29 and James Woodford 2 – 13.

Given 56 overs to bat Finches opened with James Isbell and Greg Smith. After a two of the first ball James fell trapped lbw to the second by Karl Penhale. Then in the fourth over Greg fell caught off Haydn Roussou so 14 – 2. When Tommie Predgen fell for 26 in the 12th over it was troubled times for Finches at 43 – 3.

Then a fine partnership developed between Eddie Campion and Ben Salter. The pair took the score to 128 in the 29th over when Eddie was lbw for his well-constructed 53. Then again some trouble as at 137 Stuart Parsons was caught at short leg so five down in 32 overs. But this proved the last of the problems as Ben and Jed Crerar batted very well to steer Finches home in 45 overs. At 197 – 5 it was a comfortable win with eleven overs remaining. Ben Salter ended on his fine 74 not out and Jed Crerar very useful support with 34 not out.

The win keeps Finch in second slot still 31 points adrift of leaders High Wycombe with five matches remaining.

Finch 2nd XI

Finch 2’s hosted Aldershot who chose to bat first but much like the infamous away game they were soon in trouble losing their first six wickets for only 58. Sensible batting and some steady partnerships rebuilt the innings somewhat finally clawing their way up to a total of 161-9 from 52 overs. The three prong seam attack of Sam Smith (3-11), Ethan Chapman (2-31) and Paul Stephens (2-45) doing the early innings damage.

A modest total on a batting day however Finch against Aldershot as we well know never seems to be an easy ride and this was the case once again. The top 4 batters all fell within the first 15 overs reducing Finch to 59-4. Sam Jenkins however stepped up with a levelheaded half century but when he and Paul Stephens fell Finch still required ten runs with only two wickets remaining. Ethan Chapman however finished the game in style with a trademark huge 6 to give Finch the win. They face league leaders Cookham Dean this coming week.

Finch 3rd XI

Finch 3’s made the short trip to Wokingham with Steve Brogan standing in as captain for Gareth Fearon (one of 10 regulars missing from the side). Finch were asked to bat and despite losing Joe Simmons early put on regular substantial partnerships with Steve Brogan leading from the front with a brilliant 114. He was ably supported by the returning Russell Lane (40) and Ed Oliver (53*) to ensure Finch posted a very good 256-7 from 52 overs.

Finch bowled economically throughout the innings and every time Wokingham put on a small partnership Finch made a crucial breakthrough. Max Hall SLA spin was hugely effective in the middle overs and returned figures of 5-41 in 14 overs. No partnership ever got above 40 and we bowled Wokingham out for 173 inside 42 overs. Finch stay 3rd still close in behind Fleet for the 2nd promotion spot.

Finch 4th XI

Finch 4’s hosted struggling Welford Park who chose to bat first. Finch were uncharacteristically very poor in the field up until drinks with Welford reaching 100-2 at close to a run a ball. Shub Rathod making his 4’s debut however turned things around for Finch taking 4-12 and Chris May 3-38. Welford Park eventually bowled out for a below par 163 after their promising start.

Finch however much like in the field didn’t start well with the bat and slumped to 41-3 off 15 overs. Ian Rose (39) put on a 50 stand with Yash Mahadik who made a trademark run a ball ensuring Finch ran out comfortable 5 wicket winners with 7 overs to spare. No change in the league standings with the top two also picking up maximum points again.

Finch 5th XI

Finch 5’s were home to a strong Bradfield 2’s side at Windlesham. Bradfield won the toss and batted with their opener smashing it to all parts of the small ground eventually out for 131 off 74 balls in an opening partnership of 184 at 8rpo. Finch young side however dug deep and fought back restricting Bradfield to 294-9 with under 15 Charlie Lewis taking a hattrick! Dave Marles and Ninad Khanti also taking 3 wickets each.

Facing the daunting total Finch were quickly 4 wickets down for 50 with the required rate well above double figures. Nick Hutchings however didn’t give up the fight and also proceeded to smash boundaries galore hitting 17x4s and 8x6s. He finished 144* but Finch ultimately finished 45 runs short. Ahmet Tuney also finishing on 55*.

No major club new to report this week with all midweek fixtures now finished. Four wins from five, plus two tankards at the weekend was a tremendous effort. To put it in perspective over 20 players were missing from the top four sides (holidays/injuries) which will be similar this coming week highlighting both the clubs strength in depth and players taking their chance stepping up in teams.