FINCHAMPSTEAD climbed into the top two in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two table following a 45-run win at Amersham, which saw them leapfrog their opponents, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts won the toss and chose to field, gaining a pair of early breakthroughs as Nicholas Buchanan had Finch openers Max Stevenson and Matt Jones caught cutting.

Adam Dewes and captain Dan Marles set about the consolidation of the innings but the latter was caught off spinner Maduka Liyana with the score on 64.

Seamer Stuart Rogers had Kwame Appiah caught to make it 73-4, but Dewes and Lockie Ferguson added 49 until the New Zealander was caught and bowled by Andy Viney.

Dewes (71) fell with the score on 178 having played an outstanding innings, but Andrew House (36) added some late momentum to help Finch reach 204 before they were bowled out in 48.5 overs.

Jack Rogers (4-31) and Liyana (3-22) were the pick of the Amersham attack, with the latter in particular extracting substantial turn from the surface.

Callum Gregory and Ferguson bowled well for Finch as they searched for early breakthroughs in reply, and it was the latter who grabbed the key wicket off the experienced Bruce Friedrichs hit wicket.

Amersham rebuilt and proceeded to 57, but when the medium pace of Dan Marles replaced Ferguson he soon had Liyana neatly stumped by Simon Bell.

The spin brothers JJ and Adam Dewes were bowling by the 14th over but steady batting from Edward Bowcock and Paul Langley saw the 100 up for Amersham, and at 102-2 after 27 overs, the hosts appeared reasonably well placed.

However, Langley was caught by JJ off his brother before Bowcock’s (41) effort was ended by the returning Gregory with the score on 110.

Dewes claimed a second breakthrough three runs later when Kwame Appiah took a smart low catch to account for Hugh Jackson as Finch tightened the screw.

Marles dismissed opposing skipper Luke Jackson to make it 136-6, and Viney was then run out attempting a second run.

Adam Dewes then benefitted from his brother’s safe hands as Thomas Player fell to leave Amersham 142-8, and the spinner (4-31) claimed his fourth wicket by removing Stuart Rogers.

The end was not long in coming and JJ Dewes sealed the win by having Buchanan caught by Appiah as the hosts were dismissed for 159.

Finchampstead’s victory, allied to Gerrards Cross’s loss at Buckingham Town, has allowed the Memorial Ground side to move nine points clear in the promotion race, and they will be guaranteed a top two spot with victory at home to Datchet on Saturday (11am).

In Thames Valley League Division 2a, Finchampstead 2nds secured an emphatic 147-run rout of North Maidenhead.

The hosts posted 286-6 in 50 overs with Steve Brogan (90) and Josh Lincoln (82) the star performers.

North Maidenhead slumped to 86-8 in reply but rallied until they were all out for 139, young spinner James Woodford (7-62) again the star.

In Division 3a, relegation-threatened Finchampstead 3rds suffered a seven-wicket defeat at title-chasing Thatcham Town.

Tom Potter top scored with 58 for Finch, but Thatcham eased home thanks to Tom Moloney (61) and Josh O’Flynn (57).

A brave rearguard saw Finchampstead 4ths hang on for a draw at home to Division 7a champions Royal Ascot 3rds.

Rob Handley made 53 not out as the visitors closed on 201-7, but an unbeaten last-wicket stand of 51 between Tom Tinsley (30no) and Cameron Ellis earned the draw.

In Division 8a, basement boys Finchampstead 5ths secured a 50-run success at Royal Ascot 4ths.

Michael O’Donohue (45) helped Finch to 162, and they bowled Ascot out for 112 thanks to Raghur Kanwar (3-15) and Colin Williams (3-20).