THE Lincoln brothers played a leading role when Finchampstead recorded their first win of the season in Division One of the Home Counties Premier League, writes Dave Wright.

Skipper Dan scored 91 and Josh 22, both not out, as their side made 221-3 to inflict a seven-wicket defeat on Oxford, who had earlier been dismissed for 220.

At one stage it appeared Finch would be chasing a much bigger total as Oxford openers Owyn Tong-Jones and Harvey Eltham were quickly into their stride with a stand of 56.

The introduction of spin applied the brakes with Shivam Jindal bowling Tong-Jones for 19 and six runs later Eltham departed for 25 (off 33 balls), caught by Jindal at mid-wicket off Hasnein Akram.

Skipper Jamie Perkin (42 off 72 deliveries) and Muhammad Ayub, with a run-a-ball 43, lifted the visitors to 137-3 in the 37th over, but the Finch attack kept plugging away with teenager James Woodford taking 3-43 off his 10 overs.

None of the rest of the batsmen managed to stay for long at the crease and, although Freddie Simon scored 27 off 26 balls, Finch were well pleased to have restricted Oxford to 220 on a good batting strip.

Seamer Craig Hodges ended with 2-36 off 7.1 overs, Jindal 2-38 from 10, Ryan Quinn (1-15), Hasnein Akram (1-22) and Josh Lincoln taking 1-23 thanks to a catch from Dan.

With six of the eight bowlers used claiming at least one dismissal, it was a solid, all-round bowling performance, while also reflecting on Lincoln senior’s shrewd captaincy in the way he rotated his bowlers and the young talent he has at his disposal.

The Finch batting was equally as pleasing although Hodges was caught behind for 14 with the total on 15. Jindal was dismissed when superbly snapped up one-handed by bowler Freddie Simon for 12, making it 34-2 in the 11th over.

This brought together Dan Lincoln and left-handed opener Greg Smith and they were soon laying into the Oxford attack.

They added 154 for the third wicket in 33 overs which came to an end when Smith was trapped lbw by Eltham for 67, which came off 120 balls and contained six boundaries.

Dan decided to bring in his younger brother earlier than planned and saw him blast 22 off 11 balls as Finch reached their target off the second ball of the 48th over.

Dan was left unbeaten on 91, having faced 116 deliveries, with the help of a six and eight fours, two of which came from reverse sweeps.

He said: “It would have been nice to get three figures, but it was more important that we got the win. I always felt we were capable of chasing Oxford’s total.”

He added: “Despite all the changes we have had to make with new and inexperienced players coming in, we have a good team spirit going, and that is important.

“If we can get three or four wins under our belt it will increase confidence and we could have a very productive and effective season.”

With three fixtures completed, Finch lie fourth in the table, 13 points behind joint leaders Aston Rowant, Tring Park and High Wycombe, all on 46 points.

Finch are home again next Saturday when the visitors are Horspath, who, like Oxford, are still looking for their first victory of the season.

Oxford will be back at Finchampstead next Monday in the HCPL T20 competition. Slough and Amersham will also be in action at the same venue.

Finchampstead 3rds were involved in a thrilling tie at High Wycombe 3rds in Division 3a of the Thames Valley League.

Replying to the hosts’ 233-4, Finches lost half their side for a mere 44, before fighting back through Ben Fisher (78), Sean Woodward (45) and skipper Ian Rose, with 35 not out. This left the scores level, but in a gripping finish, they were unable to get the winning run off the final ball, leaving them 233-8.

Finchampstead 4ths had an easy 66-run win over Reading 3rds in Division 6b, totalling 242-6 with Ben Simmons making 69, skipper Chris Ward 52 and Adil Mohammed 28.

The visitors were shot out for 174 with two wickets apiece for Liam Bulteel, Mohammed and Mike Simmonite.

There was also a fine win for Finchampstead 5ths against Kidmore End 3rds in Division 9a.

Rachel Hardy (3-16) and Parth Patel (3-29) helped dismiss the visitors for 177 before Simon Eldridge (85no) and Owen Marshall (32no) steered their side to a nine-wicket win.