Finchampstead CC 1st Xl vs High Wycombe CC 1st XI Match Report

Asked to bat first Finches were reduced to 47 – 2 in ten overs. Greg Smith was caught behind and Dan Lincoln bowled offering no stroke. Five overs later the bright innings of 40 for opener Andrew House ended bowled so a scoreline of 69 – 3. When two runs later Ryan Quinn was caught in the slips at 71 – 4 and only 17 overs gone spelt trouble for Finches.

Steady batting from Simon Bell and Josh Lincoln saw the hundred up. Simon was bowled for 35 at 118 then at 120 Josh also perished out caught for 30. At lunch with 32 overs gone it was 133 – 6. After the interval The score was steadily pushed along by Tommie Predgen and Craig Hodges.

After Craig was out a good innings of 32 not out from Darren Augustus and 32 from Tommie saw the score to 214 and 62 overs used. So High Wycombe were given 58 overs to secure the runs.

By 20 overs High Wycombe were 70 but two wickets down. Spinner Lames Woodford had opener Ed Callis caught then Rehan Akram yorked Dan Marles. Opener Teddy Casterton stayed firm and with skipper Nathan Hawkes saw the hundred up in 32 overs. At 107 Hawkes was run out then bringing Rob George to the wicket.

At 122 the important wicket of Casterton was taken for his 75 bowled by Josh Lincoln. George Russell joining Rob Webb then both batted fluently their stand of 77 bringing the winning runs near at 16 to go. At 199 James Woodford took his second wicket Russell being caught in the deep by Josh Lincoln.

Light rain had been falling but as soon as the 200 was up it became steadier and at 202 – 5 and with five overs remaining they brought the sides in. After a few minutes delay and 7 pm on the clock it was clear the match could not continue so the captains shook hands on the draw. So equal points for the sides for the draw.

By Neil Doody