Finch plunge closer to drop

Published 12 Aug 2010 10:30 0 Comments

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FINCHAMPSTEAD plunged even deeper into relegation trouble after a 36 run home defeat by Gerrards Cross.

In a rain-affected match, Finch put themselves in the driving seat after restricting the visitors to 195-7 from 53 overs thanks to Anthony Parson’s 5-58.

But they were skittled for 159 in reply leaving them just one place off the bottom of the Home Counties Premier League Division Two West table.

Finch could now be heading back into the Thames Valley League unless they can reverse their fortunes over the four remaining games.

Club chairman Neil Doody stated: “Any loss is particularly disappointing when you are so low in the table.

“We fielded and bowled extremely well and Anthony Parson was exceptional.

“We were in a good position in our reply but we lost three quick wickets and that was the end of that really.

“Our batting has been brittle all season. We haven’t been able to forge any partnerships that you need in the Premier League.”

At least Finch’s bowling attack gives them hope as Parson was in stunning form with the prolific Ian Cockbain among his early victims.

Cross recovered from 55-3 to 100-3 when a 75 minute rain delay saw their innings cut to 53 overs.

They eventually reached 195-7 with opener Hamzah Taj (67) and Faz Ali (44) their leading scorers, while Finch’s Matt Harper and Matt Bell took a wicket apiece to add to Parson’s five wicket haul.

The hosts, with 44 overs to play with, lost Steve Brogan (10) and Simon Bell (0) to consecutive balls but recovered thanks to a 51-run stand between Sam Taylor (43) and skipper Matt Jones (24).

Andrew House (17) and Matt Harper (31) also chipped in to take Finch to 127-4, needing 69 runs to win with five wickets in hand.

But at that point they lost Taylor, Charlie Alexander (1) and Simon Cheetham (2) as three wickets fell for a mere five runs leaving them 132-7.

And, despite the efforts of Harper and Andrew Douglas (13), Finch were dismissed for a disappointing 159 with five overs to spare, with Tom Hampton (4-30) and Matt Watson (4-51) doing the damage for Cross.

Finch now face a massive fortnight ahead with a trip to basement side Beaconsfield this Saturday followed by a home clash against table-topping Reading a week later.

And Doody admitted: “We must pick ourselves up and hope for better things ahead.

“There are four games to go and these next two weeks are very big for us.

“We will go into them with confidence and hope we can finally get the results we need.”

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