A DRAMATIC one-wicket win helped Finchampstead leapfrog opponents High Wycombe into second place in the Home Counties Premier League Division One table.

Finch skipper Dan Marles asked the hosts to bat first, and Anthony Parson had Teddy Casterton caught behind by Dan Lincoln with the score on 11.

Matt Carter came into the attack to remove George Baker and dangerman Nathan Hawkes, High Wycombe slipping to 58-3.

Pat Castleden and Simon Janes put on 53 for the fourth wicket before the latter was bowled by Adam Dewes.

Jandre Coetzee returned to trap Castleden in front for an excellent 76, and he also had George Russell (38) caught by JJ Dewes to make it 178-6.

Coetzee (3-51) picked up his second lbw when he removed Cameron Parsons, and with spinner JJ Dewes (3-55) taking the final wickets, the home side were bowled out for 229.

Andy House struck a flurry of boundaries early in the Finch reply, but they lost Adam Dewes for one when he nicked off to Cameron Parsons.

Marles and House (95 from 78 balls) shared a 113-run stand which was only ended with the total on 134, House falling just short of a stunning century when caught off Adam Dobb.

His dismissal prompted a worrying collapse as Finch fell to 168-6, and when Lincoln departed for 29 to be followed by two more wickets, the visitors looked in trouble at 207-9.

However, Craig Hodges (21no) and JJ Dewes held their nerve to get the champions over the line.

Finchampstead visit Oxford on Saturday (11am).

Andy Lazenbury smashed 71 not out from just 55 balls and Simon Bell chipped in with 48 as Finchampstead 2nds (263-8 declared off 51 overs) had the better of a draw with Marlow (205-4) in Division One of the Thames Valley League.

A brilliant unbeaten 124 by Mac Keast was not enough for Finchampstead 4ths (236-4) as they lost by seven wickets to Purley on Thames 2nds (238-3) in Division 2b.

Will Griffiths (5-17) took the plaudits for Finchampstead 5ths (187-5) as they beat Windsor 4ths (183) in Division 8a, Dave Marles making 67 not out for Finch.