Finchampstead Cricket Club were the latest team to take on league leaders Sulhamstead 3’s on what was quite simply a scorcher of a day. Suli won the toss and elected to put Finch into bat.

Usual openers Ian Gibson and Rob Wardle started the Suli attack and we only had to wait until the fifth over for the first wicket when Gibson hit the stumps. With Wardle bowling economically at the other end Gibson finished his first spell after four overs and handed the attack over to Jules Fernando and he made an almost immediate impact when he got the second wicket of the day after a fortunate bit of ‘juggling’ catching came off by Richard Graham at mid-off.

As Wardle tired, Finn Mercer replaced him, and Fernando was next to strike again when a delightful delivery clean bowled the batsman. Not to be outdone at the other end Mercer struck next when an edge was neatly taken by Jack Gray behind the stumps.

As the temperature rose, Callum Gray replaced Fernando and Wardle came on for his second spell. Gray seemed to hypnotise the batters but didn’t manage to get a wicket and Wardle in his last over finally got his wicket when a cracking delivery beat the batsman.

With eight overs left to go Graham came on and Gibson came on for his second spell and both picked up a wicket as Finch looked to get to the 200 mark. At the end of their 40 overs Finch finished on 195 runs for 7 wickets.

At tea, as everyone tried to find some shade and water fights broke out confidence was high amongst the majority, but some were less optimistic especially as we were playing without having our top batsman in the team.

Rupesh Maslekar and Wardle trotted out to lead the chase and what a great start they made. Both batting with total control and with the boundaries coming quickly Suli were soon up to the 50 mark.

The partnership was on 79 when the first wicket went down when Wardle was caught for 26. As Wardle left the field and teammates and spectators evacuated the pavilion the in form Jack Gray bounded out to the crease to join Maslekar who was soon to get to his 50.

Unfortunately, soon after he had taken the applause for his excellent 50, he was dismissed for 55 and some began to wonder if we would get over the line.

Fernando was in next and joined Gray but before the partnership could really get going Gray was out. It really was looking a bit worrying now as Suli were on 99-3, losing all of the 3 wickets in the last 20 runs.

Skipper Gibson came out next and not for the first time this season we really need a skipper’s innings. Gibson started well getting off the mark with a fine boundary

and things were beginning to look more comfortable until Fernando got caught and was out for 13.

Now on 107 -4, Richard Graham joined the skipper at the crease. With plenty of overs remaining the hope was that the batters would be sensible and see us through but would they, do it?

Graham got off well and after a lovely six flew over the boundary and after giving two chances that were thankfully dropped, he seemed to take the advice of the skipper and tried not to hit every ball for a six and batted well.

With Gibson playing a great Captain’s innings at the other end and the oppositions heads beginning to drop, the finishing line began to get closer and it was Graham who finished it with a boundary to get Suli to 197.

Finishing on an unbeaten partnership of 90 Gibson left the field on 48 no and Graham on 39 no.

MOTM – Ian Gibson