A HEAVY downpour brought a premature ending to Finchampstead’s fixture with Slough on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

It was particularly disappointing for Dan Marles’ side as they were looking capable of winning the game.

Set a target of 273, they had moved on to 164-3, needing another 109 off 19 overs.

And the momentum was in their favour with opener Greg Smith going well on 71 despite nursing a hand injury and Dan Lincoln with 26.

The best innings of the game so far, however, had come from Slough’s Zohaib Ahmed who was just one short of his century when he lofted a Marles delivery straight to Matt Carter at midwicket.

Jandre Coetzee and Carter, with his first ball of the game, had earlier dismissed both openers – Faham Qureshi for one and Shazad Rana for 11 – after Slough had elected to bat first.

The visitors then took advantage of a good batting strip to reach 115 by the 35th over, when Marles bowled Lloyd Patternott for 46.

Shaan Khan and Zahaib Ahmed added 112 in 24 overs before medium-pacer Marles struck again, bowling Khan for 72.

With Marles switching around his eight bowlers, Finch put the squeeze on Slough.

Marles bowled his opposite number, Bobby Sher, for 19 before the home skipper dismissed Ahmed for 99.

Coetzee had Daniyal Akhtar caught by Billy Rogers for just four before Slough closed on 272–7 in their 64 allotted overs.

Marles secured a fine 4–51 in his 12 overs, while Coetzee had 2-42 off 13 and Carter 1-17 off six.

Finchampstead openers Andrew House and Smith started steadily, but in the seventh over the former was bowled by Ahmed for 18 with the total 30.

Marles joined Smith and they lifted the total to 98 when Marles was caught and bowled by spinner Ali Akbar for 39.

Billy Rogers soon departed, trapped lbw by Steve Green for three, leaving the total on 101–3 in the 23rd over.

Smith and Lincoln batted well to advance the score to 164 in 37 overs and the game looked to be heading towards an exciting finish before steady rain led to the game being abandoned as a draw.

With just eight points, Finch slip a place to fifth in the table, but just 16 points behind leaders Henley.

This Saturday they visit second-placed High Wycombe as the league reaches its half-way stage.

l In the Thames Valley League, Finchampstead 2nds slumped to a five-wicket defeat at Falkland in Division One.

They were shot out for just 95 with Simon Bell (23) and Tommie Predgen (10) the only batsmen to reach double figures as they crumbled to the bowling of Saad Altaf, who took 7-46 off 14.3 overs.

In reaching their target in 24 overs, Falkland lost wickets to James Woodford (3-37) and Josh Lincoln (2-18); The same two clubs also met in Division 3a. Visitors Falkland 2nds were bowled out for 173 with Steve West taking 3-30, James Eaglesham 3-43 and Sam Taylor 3-30.

Finchampstead 3rds recovered from 55-5 to 177-6 for a four-wicket win just before the rain arrived. Chris Wroot making 53 and Eaglesham 52 not out.

There was also a win for Finch 4ths in Division 6b. They dismissed hosts Hurst for 186 with Mike Simmonite taking 3-23 and two apiece for Parv Patel and Ahmet Tuney.

Finch lost eight wickets before reaching their target, Richard Reed making 45 and Jamie Brown 30.

In Division 8a, Finch 5ths drew with Bagshot 3rds, making 202-7 in reply to the visitors’ 320-6, of which Richard Rowlett contributed 99 and Matt Furnell 77, the pair putting on 185 for the second wicket.

Finch’s Dave Marles hit 53 not out, while Eyed Mohammed made 50 and his son Adil 49, both making their debuts.