FINCHAMPSTEAD 2nds consolidated top spot in Thames Valley League Division 2a with a four-wicket victory at Marlow Park, writes Oscar Beardmore-Gray.

The home side were all out for 176 with seamer Craig Hodges taking 5-38, while there were two wickets apiece for James Woodford (2-36) and James Eaglesham (2-56).

Finch’s innings was given a solid platform as Russell Lane (29) and Andrew House (58) put on 51 for the first wicket, the former eventually caught by Atif Khan off the bowling of Sohail Janed.

However, the rest of the visitors’ line-up chipped in with cameos, and with Kwame Appiah (35) leading the way, they got to their target with more than 12 overs to spare.

In Division 3a, Finchampstead 3rds endured a frustrating six-wicket defeat at league leaders Aldershot.

The visitors totalled an under-par 178, with the main contributions coming from Josh Lincoln (46), Sam Jenkins (31) and skipper Ian Rose (31).

However, Aldershot ran out comfortable winners on the back of 50 from Rory Collins and 35 from Faisal Abbas, the hosts reaching their target from the third ball of the 37th over of their reply.

Eversley 3rds became the first side to deny Finchampstead 4ths victory this season in a top-of-the-table clash in Division 7a.

Finchampstead batted first and scored a credible 201-4, Chris Ward hitting 77 and Tom Ansell adding 33.

Eversley batted slowly in reply, but will be happy to come away with a draw, Bill Burnett (43) and Dave Howarth (40) making solid contributions as the Boars finished on 136-8 to take a share of the spoils.

Finchampstead remain 46 points clear of Eversley at the head of the table after seven rounds of fixtures.

In Division 9a, Yateley 4ths asked fourth-placed Finchampstead 5ths to bat, but that decision backfired as their opponents racked up an imposing 209-4.

That total was based around an excellent knock of 77 not out by Simon Eldridge, 48 from Steve West and 27 from skipper Chris Gara.

Yateley finished on 107-8 to draw the match despite West taking 4-32.