FINCHAMPSTEAD CC skipper Dan Marles is confident his side will hold their own in Division One of the Home Counties Premier League despite losing their opening match of the season, writes Dave Wright.

“We are on something of a learning curve,” he said following their five-wicket defeat at the hands of Burnham last Saturday.

Since their promotion from Division Two, Finches have strengthened their squad with Andy Rishton and Sukhi Kang joining from Reading, Matt Carter from Henley and Greg Smith from Hurst.

All-rounders Rishton and Carter are both in the Berkshire team, while Kang is the county's No. 2 wicket-keeper.

And Marles could have another new face in their squad shortly – even as early at this Saturday's game at Banbury – as South African Jandre Coetzee was due to arrive in England this week.

The 32-year-old all-rounder has scored more than 2,000 runs in first-class cricket in his home country, while taking 315 wickets in 82 matches.

Coetzee was a member of the Griqualand West squad that competed in last season's Africa T20 cup.

His arrival, plus the club's other new acquisitions, means there is now plenty of competition for places at Finchampstead.

Marles added: “The squad is looking very strong now and I am confident we can hold our own this season, holding at least a mid-table position.”

Of the newcomers, Kang was the most successful against Burnham, making 33 off 32 balls in Finch's 205 all out. Top scorer was Billy Rogers with 71 off 81 deliveries, which included two sixes and five fours.

Wickets for Carter (2-31) and Rishton (1-28) left the visitors three down for 45, but a stand of 113 put Burnham on their way to a five-wicket victory, which they achieved with more than eight overs to spare.

Smith dislocated his right thumb while fielding, but is hoping to be fit for the game at Banbury this Saturday.

Skipper Marles also has an important date on Friday evening as he will be pulling on his boots to play for Finchampstead Athletic FC Reserves against Whitegrove in the Bracknell and District Sunday League's Junior Cup final at Bracknell Town's Larges Lane ground.

He is looking to put the seal on a successful season, having netted 26 goals for his team.

Other Finch CC first-team players who will be involved in the final are Craig Hodges and Max Uttley.

WHILE most of the top players have left, women's cricket continues at Wokingham with the senior team playing in the Southern League's Championship division. In their first home fixture last Sunday they were dismissed for 81 and lost to Ansty (Sussex) by 112 runs.

Berkshire's senior women are playing Warwickshire at Sadlers End this Sunday (11am), looking to make it three wins out of three in the Royal London one-day championship.

The county will be led by Heather Knight, who could be named the new England captain following Charlotte Edwards' decision this week to retire from international cricket.

Edwards lives close to the Wokingham ground and made one appearance for the club's Southern Premier League side last season. She will continue to play for Kent Women.