Henley CC 1st XI vs Finchampstead CC 1st XI Match Report

On winning the toss Finches skipper Dan Lincoln invited Henley to bat first. The wicket looked greenish after covering from heavy rainstorms during the week. Saturday however saw a fine day so a good match looked in store.

Henley started very well with openers Mike Roberts and Matt Rowe coping with the seam attack of Rehan Akram, Darren Augustus and Ryan Quinn. The pair saw 75 up in 20 overs but in the 22nd the introduction of spinner James Woodford saw him have Rowe caught at mid on so 83 – 1.

This was the last success for another 10 overs as Richard Morris and Mike Roberts continued the steady build up of runs for Henley. The return to the attack of the pace of Rehan Akram saw the key dividend as Roberts was caught behind by ‘keeper Simon Bell for his well played 71. In the 36th over Richard Morris was also caught behind this off Ryan Quinn. The score with 14 overs remaining was then 167 – 3.

Two more wickets fell by 188 as Euan Woods and David Barnes both fell to James Woodford. After a good stroke filled innings from Andy Rishton he was sixth to fall trapped LBW to Leg spinner Shiv Jindal for 39. This encouraged Finches to pressurise the later batters and the seven bowlers used saw the close of the Henley innings at 260 – 8. James Woodford again showed his talent with 3 – 20 in his 10 overs.

Good opening bowling from Tom Nugent and Tahir Afridi pinned Finches down early then in the fifth over Tommie Predgen was caught behind off Nugent. With 10 overs gone Greg Smith was LBW offering no stroke so 35 – 2. When the third wicket fell at 47 Shiv Jindal well caught behind by ‘keeper Mike Williams it looked difficult for Finches with 36 overs remaining and over 200 runs needed.

Enter Simon Bell at five and embarking on a sound partnership with Dan Lincoln. The pair saw the hundred up then on to 139 by the 37th over when the good innings of Bell ended for 61. Finches needed to step up the pace but tight spin bowling from Euan Brock and Ziggy Ashraf kept the score in some check and Brock dismissed Ryan Quinn. The arrival of Josh Lincoln then saw the brothers start to mount an attack on the bowling.

There were still 104 runs needed and these at 10 an over. The brothers both batted well dispatching well but faced both spin and pace in these closing stages. At the close Finches were 23 runs short so 237 – 5. Dan with 75 not out and Josh 37 not out did a fine job for Finches but the run chase was just out of grasp. So a defeat yet a good match and valiant effort especially in these later stages by Finches who showed teamwork and effort throughout.

By Neil Doody