ANDREW House struck a Home Counties Premier League Division One record score of 228 on a memorable day when Finchampstead became champions for just the second time, writes Richard Ashton.

The opener’s sensational innings – which came from just 148 balls and included 29 4s and eight 6s – set up a 56-run victory at home to Slough, sealing a first title since 2001 with a week to spare.

House and Dan Lincoln put on 47 for the opening wicket before the latter was caught by Bobby Sher off the bowling of Nawaz Raja, who then had Adam Dewes adjudged lbw next ball.

However, stand-in captain Matt Jones joined House at the crease, and the pair continued to attack during an excellent stand of 155 which put Finchampstead well on top.

Jones fell for 54 but House just kept on going, surging past his 100 before the next landmark of 150 was reached in the 37th over and his double century five overs later.

Billy Rogers added a spritely 27 before he fell to the returning Raja (5-66), who later accounted for Berkshire duo Andy Rishton and Matt Carter with the total on 340.

House’s incredible knock was sadly ended from the final ball of the innings, caught behind off Waqas Hussain at the end of a record-breaking feat which will take some beating for years to come.

Slough openers Nabil Shah and Lloyd Patternott started brightly but the former then fell to South African seamer Jandre Coetzee – his 55th wicket in the 13 matches in which he has bowled.

From 22-1, Hussain joined Patternott in adding 108 before Hussain’s well-worked 52 ended as he was caught off leg spinner Max Stevenson.

Patternott continued to look good, but Feroz Baig and Mohammed Avas fell to Stevenson and Max Uttley to leave the visitors 181-4.

Stevenson (3-41) added Shaan Khan to his list of dismissals and Rishton bowled Sher to make it 229-6, and when Paternott fell for an excellent 108, the writing was on the wall for Slough at 264-7.

Raheel Zaman threw the bat to useful effect until he was well caught by Lincoln off Rishton, and the Berkshire all-rounder (4-70) collected the final two wickets as Slough were dismissed for 296.

Finchampstead round off their stunning campaign at basement boys Harefield on Saturday (11am).

On a memorable day for the club, Finchampstead 2nds also sealed the Thames Valley League Division 2a trophy by thrashing Harefield 2nds by 119 runs.

Gary Loveday (85) led the way as Finch were bowled out for 190, but spinners Matt Harper 5-25 and James Woodford 5-40 then showed their class as Harefield were dismissed for 71.

In Division 3a, Sam Taylor took wonderful figures of 8-56, but Finchampstead 3rds (80) lost to Falkland 2nds (177) by 97 runs.

Runaway Division 7a leaders Finchampstead 4ths are just a single game away from an unbeaten season after cruising to a nine-wicket win at home to Theale & Tilehurst 3rds.

Nick Tinsley 4-6 and Michael O’Donoghue 4-37 starred as T&T were bowled out for 154, and skipper Gareth Biggs (105no) and Andy Keast (38) ensured a comfortable win which puts Finch a remarklable 113 points ahead at the top.

Finchampstead 5ths beat Thatcham Town 4ths by six wickets to stay joint top of Division 9a.

Thatcham were shot out for just 84 with Tom Lawton-Davies taking 4-18.

Jed Crerar (35no) and Cameron Ellis (25no) then put on an unbeaten 60 in order to help the visitors overcome an early wobble.