WHEN Jandre Coetzee took a wicket with his first ball, it looked like being business as usual for Finchampstead CC, even more so when the South African seamer soon followed up with another, writes Dave Wright.

But the Home Counties Premier League Division One champions were in for a shock on the opening day of the season, as they went on to suffer a 50-run home defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Oxford after being bowled out for 187.

Former Pakistan Test player Mohammed Ayub turned the game with a century, taking Oxford to 237-9 in their 50 overs with Finch then being bowled out for 187.

The hosts were convinced they had dismissed Ayub early in his innings when he appeared to edge a Coetzee delivery into the hands of keeper Sukhi Kang, but he was given not out and went on to produce a match-winning innings.

Oxford’s new signing came to his side’s rescue after Coetzee trapped Harvey Eltham lbw with his first delivery and then having Owyn Tong-Jones caught by Kang for three with the total on 13.

Anthony Parson had Andy Clough snapped up by Dan Lincoln for 20 and the paceman struck again when skipper Dan Marles produced a brilliant one-handed catch high up to send back Jamie Perkin for just nine.

It was looking good for the champions, as their four seam bowlers had limited Oxford to just 76-4 in the opening 25 overs.

However, Ayub, who had played for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2012, put his foot on the accelerator with skipper John Barrett following suit at the other end.

They lifted the total to 161 by the 44th over before the latter was caught and bowled by Max Uttley for 58.

Coetzee returned to the attack and took another wicket to finish with 3-43 off his 10 overs.

Uttley also ended Ayab’s 111-ball innings just after he had reached his century and he went on to take another wicket, leaving him with 4-59 off 10 overs.

With a shortage of pace bowlers, Oxford introduced spin into the attack from the start and it did not take long for them to make inroads into the Finch innings.

Greg Smith made only three and, with Andy House going for 30 and Marles for 24, the home side reached the halfway stage of their innings with 93 runs on the board.

But they were unable to match what their visitors had achieved in the second 25 overs with Lincoln (1) and Matt Carter (8) both caught when going for a big hit, while Kang was bowled by Chris Humphreys for seven and Coetzee was run out for two.

The in-form Billy Rogers was working hard to keep the innings together and reached a deserved half-century off 68 balls before being dismissed.

A disappointing batting performance ended in the 43rd over when Parsons was caught for 20 with the team total on 187.

Finch are away to Tring Park this Saturday.

l FINCHAMPSTEAD 2nds lost their opening Thames Valley League Division One game by 67 runs at Stoke Green.

Dylan Augustus (4-50), James Woodford (3-23) and Russell Lane (3-62) helped bowl out the hosts for 273, but despite Josh Lincoln (47), Tom Wroot (45) and Lane (41) contributing, Finch were bowled out for 206 in reply.

Sam Taylor took 5-68 to inspire Finchampstead 3rds to a five-wicket home win against Cove 2nds in Division 3a.

The hosts were bowled out for 231 before Sam Jenkins (81) and James Eaglesham (45) set up the run chase.

In Division 6b, Finchampstead 4ths beat Farnham Common 2nds by 38 runs.

Richard Reed (85) and Matthew Eldridge helped Finch post 199, and Dave Higginson’s 4-16 and Joe Loveday’s 3-25 then helped Finchampstead dismiss their opponents for 161.

Dave Marles (102no) and Jamie Brown (80no) secured a draw for Finchampstead 5ths (270-2) against Datchet 4ths (327-5) in Division 8a.