FINCHAMPSTEAD players starred when Berkshire Academy defeated Herefordshire Academy by six wickets at their home club on Sunday.

The visitors were dismissed for 128 in 42 overs after collapsing from 100-3.

Max Stevenson was the pick of the bowlers with 4-10 off six overs, closely followed by Finch team-mates Andy Rishton with 2-10 off seven and Craig Hodges 2-20 off six.

The other wicket takers were Ian Slatcher (Reading) with 1-24 and Boyne Hill’s Mark Firth 1-18.

In reply, Berkshire lost Adam Dewes for three, Will Harris 17, Dan Marles seven and Billy Rogers 13 to leave the total on 71-4 before 1st XI players Rishton and Euan Woods steered their side to victory in the 41st over.

Skipper Rishton made 64 off 85 balls with 10 boundaries, while Henley’s Woods remained unbeaten on 23 off 54 deliveries.

There will be more county cricket at Finchampstead this Sunday (11am) when Berkshire Women play Yorkshire.

  • BERKSHIRE Over 60s were beaten by three wickets at home to Essex on Tuesday.

The hosts won the toss at Hurst and chose to bat, but the innings never really got going with the exception of Phil Ridgeway (36) and Ian Harvey (43), and they closed their 45 overs on 147-9.

Nigel Bloch and Amarjit Lall put on 50 for the opening wicket in reply, but Ridgeway (3-21, pictured) brought his side back into the contest as Essex crashed to 87-5.

Jerry Smith (2-29) was also among the wickets, but Ken Jones (20 off 18 balls) gave the visitors momentum and they secured victory with 11 balls to spare.