FINCHAMPSTEAD’s tough start to the Home Counties Premier League Division One season continued as they were beaten by 23 runs at Henley.

Finch skipper Dan Lincoln won the toss and chose to field, but Michael Roberts and Matt Rowe settled in to put on an opening stand of 83.

The introduction of spinner James Woodford accounted for Rowe, caught by Rehan Akram, but Richard Morris continued to take the attack to Finches.

Roberts was caught behind off Akram for a well-made 71 before Morris (47 off 40 balls) suffered the same fate off Ryan Quinn.

Andy Rishton struck 39 off 34 balls against his former club, but Finch battled well and restricted Henley to 260-8 in their 50 overs – Woodford the pick of the attack with 3-20 and Josh Lincoln taking 2-41.

Finch slipped to 46-3 in reply before Dan Lincoln (74no) and Simon Bell (61) resurrected the innings, but they were always behind the rate and, despite Josh Lincoln’s rapid unbeaten 37 from 28 balls, they could only reach 237-5 in reply.

Finchampstead host table-toppers High Wycombe on Saturday, in the first of the 120-over games.

In Division 2b of the Thames Valley League, Ed Oliver’s 94 not out inspired Finchampstead 2nds (304-6) to a maiden seven-run victory against High Wycombe 2nds (297-9).

Mac Keast added 50 and Matt Eldridge scored 41, while Asim Hussain also took 4-50 for Finches.

Sam Jenkins (53) and Sean Woodward (40) batted well for Finchampstead 3rds (194-8), but they lost by four wickets to Purley on Thames (198-6) in Division 3a.

Finchampstead 4ths (173) lost to Cove 3rds (197-6) by 24 runs in Division 6b.

Simon Eldridge top scored with 36 as Finchampstead 5ths (203-3) beat Windsor 3rds (194) by nine runs in a tight Division 9a encounter.