HOME Counties Premier League Division One leaders Finchampstead continued their wonderful form with a 95-run win at Burnham, writes Richard Ashton.

Dan Marles’ men suffered an early blow after being asked to bat, Matt Jones being bowled third ball by Muhammad Haroon.

Andrew House and Marles rebuilt the innings, but the captain became Haroon’s second victim before Andrew House was also caught at mid off by Aftab Khan off the bowling of Raminder Singh to leave Finch wobbling on 41-3.

Billy Rogers and Greg Smith added 36 for the fourth wicket until the former was caught by Fahad Raja off Adnan Shabbir, and when Khan accounted for Smith, Andy Rishton and Simon Bell in rapid order, the visitors were in dire straits at 92-7.

However, Finchampstead possess a lengthy batting line-up and a superb counter-attack from Matt Carter (41 off 44 balls) and South African star Jandre Coetzee (51 off 55) shifted the momentum and ensured their side eventually reached a competitive total of 185.

Khan picked up a couple of extra wickets to end with 5-50 from his 18 overs, the pick of Burnham’s attack.

The irrepressible Coetzee continued to torment opposition batsmen as he has since arriving in Berkshire, bowling Raja Rehman and trapping Sajid Ali lbw to leave Burnham 11-2.

Captain Khan offered some attacking resistance until he was stumped off the bowling of JJ Dewes, before Coetzee had Fahad Raja caught by Carter to make it 52-4.

A shocking collapse initiated by Dewes (5-25) saw the home side collapse to 69-9, and despite a couple of lusty blows from Haroon late on, he fell to Coetzee (5-34) – who now has cumulative figures of 31-163 – as Burnham were shot out for just 90.

Finchampstead retain their 10-point advantage over Banbury, with the second-placed side the visitors at the Memorial Ground this Saturday (11am).

Champions elect Finchampstead 2nds were held to a draw in their Thames Valley League Division 2a encounter at home to Maidenhead & Bray.

Opener Gary Loveday was in sensational form as he blasted 107, and with Ed Oliver (67) giving good support, Finch reached 248-6 in their 52 overs.

The visitors’ reply never really got going after Anthony Parson (3-28) took a couple of early wickets, but despite Adam Dewes spinning his way to 3-20, Maids hung on grimly to close at 132-9.

Matt Harper top scored with 52 for Finchampstead 3rds as they beat Reading 2nds by 33 runs in Division 3a.

Finch were bowled out for 196, but a fine spell from Sam Taylor (3-35) ensured Reading were dismissed for 163.

In Division 7a, Finchampstead 4ths crushed Yateley 3rds by eight wickets.

Ben Cole (4-30) and Liam Matthews (3-34) were the standout Finch bowlers as they dismissed the visitors for 174, and Tom Ansell (92no), Tom Potter (39no) and Chris Wroot (31) made certain of an easy victory in the run chase.

Finchampstead 5ths remain second in Division 9a following an emphatic nine-wicket demolition of visiting Wargrave 3rds.

Steve West (6-9) was the star of the show with the ball for Finch as the away side were skittled for 102, and Doug Scholes them hammered and unbeaten 84 to hustle his side to victory in just 18.3 overs.