A SUPERB run chase helped Finchampstead record a three-wicket victory against Banbury in Division One of the Home Counties Premier League, writes Richard Ashton.

Banbury won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Craig Haupt (31) and Jack Wilkins reaching 59 until the former was caught behind by Dan Lincoln off the bowling of Craig Hodges.

Adam Dewes made it 90-2 when he trapped Wilkins (43) lbw, and the score reached 157 before Billy Rogers combined with Lincoln to dismiss Charles Hill.

Dewes (2-52 off 16 overs) caught and bowled Richard West to leave Banbury 182-4, and things got worse for the Oxfordshire side when Ed Phillips was run out by Hodges shortly after. Josh Megson struck 25 from 24 balls before he too was run out, and Sabin’s excellent innings of 84 came to a close when he was well caught in the deep by Max Uttley off the bowling of Hodges (3-48).

However, the tail played useful strokes led by wicketkeeper Will Hawtin (23) and Banbury closed on 274-8 in their allotted 64 overs.

Andrew House and Greg Smith (30) gave the home side a solid platform and shared a 73-run stand before the former was bowled by Ollie Wright for 30.

There was no let-up for Banbury, though, as Finch captain Dan Marles entered proceedings and added 90 for the second wicket until House fell for 96 off 95 balls, caught by West off the bowling of ex-Pakistan man Aizaz Cheema.

Dan Lincoln was bowled cheaply by Cheema to put Finch 167-3, but Billy Rogers steadied the ship as he and Marles took the score to 219 until the latter was caught by West off the bowling of Sabin for 60.

Sabin (4-31) accounted for Josh Lincoln and Dewes as Finch slipped to 227-6, and the game was still in the balance when Matt Carter was caught and bowled by Sabin with the score on 255.

But Rogers (48no) and Anthony Parson held their nerve to seal a fine victory with 12 balls to spare.

Finchampstead are home to Slough on Saturday (11am).

Rock bottom Finchampstead 2nds lost their Thames Valley League Division One derby by nine wickets at Wokingham.

A number of Finchampstead batsman made starts after they won the toss, but it was only Ed Oliver (60) who converted into a meaningful score.

Jarrett Bobb (6-48 off 15.1 overs) was the pick of the Oaks’ attack, while Lewis Sharp claimed 2-15.

Stuart Hayter (36) and Stuart Parsons gave Wokingham a convincing start with a stand of 56, ended when Hayter was dismissed by Matt Bell.

However, that was the only success Finch enjoyed as Parsons (78no) and Dan Housego (61no) combined to take their side to victory in 35.5 overs, lifting them to the top of the table.

Wokingham travel to Gerrards Cross on Saturday (1pm), while Finchampstead 2nds visit Falkland.

In Division 3a, Ollie Bareham took 4-35 as Finchampstead 3rds (92-5) crushed basement dwellers Newbury (91) by five wickets.

Richard Reed top scored with 61 as Finchampstead 4ths (218-7) hammered Aldershot 3rds (108) by 110 runs in Division 6b.

Steve West (4-13) and Ahmet Tuney (4-39) were the destroyers-in-chief for Finchampstead.

In Division 9a, Paul Douglas scored 43, but Finchampstead 5ths (146) lost by 10 wickets to Kew 4ths (147-0).