FINCHAMPSTEAD CC stayed top of the Home Counties Premier League Division One table following a dramatic draw at home to Banbury, writes Richard Ashton.

Finch made a perfect start after choosing to bowl as Matt Carter had Craig Haupt and Ed Phillips caught behind by Sukhi Kang to leave Banbury 12-2.

With progress slow for the visitors, Jandre Coetzee then got in on the act as he bowled Oliver Clarke before leg spinner Max Uttley (2-45) accounted for Richard West and Thomas Bradbeer to make it 60-5.

Captain Lloyd Sabin and Ashley Blanchard steadied the ship for the Oxfordshire side as they took the score past 100, only for JJ Dewes to have the latter caught behind with the total on 121.

Sabin eventually went for a superb 86 when the returning Carter (4-56) had him caught by Andy Rishton, and Oxfordshire skipper Luke Ryan’s brief cameo was ended by the same bowler to put Banbury 172-8.

The tail wagged to some degree and at the end of their 64 overs, Banbury had reached 195-9.

Finch made a good start thanks to Andrew House and Rishton, putting on 47 in 13 overs with some fine strokeplay. with some fine strokeplay.

The introduction of off spinner West prompted a mini-collapse as he dismissed both openers and Dan Lincoln to leave Finch 72-3.

Dan Marles became Ryan’s first victim with the score on 90, and the writing appeared to be on the wall for the hosts after Greg Smith – superbly run out by Ollie Clarke in the deep – Billy Rogers and Carter all departed.

However, from 114-7, Kang and Coetzee showed tremendous application and a lot of skill to resurrect their side’s chances, adding 60 until the former was bowled by West (5-82).

With 14 balls remaining Finchampstead needed 22 to win, and they got that target down to four off the last ball, only for Coetzee to only hit two.

Marles’s men took nine points from the encounter and are three points above second-placed Henley.

Finchampstead travel to reigning champions High Wycombe – currently fourth in the table – on Saturday (11.30am).

In Division 2a of the Thames Valley League, runaway leaders Finchampstead 2nds pulled off a miraculous victory at Kidmore End.

The hosts blasted their way to 289-6 before declaring after 50 overs, Joe Waldron (83) and Guy Ashby (76no) the standout batsmen.

Opener Russell Lane made 44 before the game looked up for Finch when they slipped to 171-8 with 13 overs remaining.

However, a stunning unbeaten stand between Ed Oliver (89no) and Craig Hodges (59no) snatched a stunning win with five balls to spare.

In Division 3a, Finchampstead 3rds drew with Yateley 2nds.

Sam Jenkins (71) and Josh Lincoln (53) led the way for Finch as they reached 248-4 in 45 overs, but despite Sam Taylor’s 4-60, Yateley survived on 196-8 after 55.

Division 7a leaders Finchampstead 4ths (239-9 declared) thrashed Thatcham Town 3rds (156) by 83 runs.

Matt Eldridge (60) and Tom Bale (50) impressed with the bat and Steve West (4-31) and Liam Matthews (3-35) with the ball.

Khartik Khanti (115no) and Gary Woodford (74no) guided Finchampstead 5ths (208-1) to an easy nine-wicket win against Maidenhead & Bray 4ths (206-9).