FINCHAMPSTEAD CC appeared to be on the ropes before their Home Counties Premier League Division One clash at Aston Rowant was abandoned, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors lost Craig Hodges to a smart run out in the seventh over, and when debutant Shiv Jindal was trapped lbw by Wes Morrick, Finches were struggling on 22-2.

Greg Smith and captain Dan Lincoln rebuilt the innings until the former became Morrick’s second victim with the score on 51, but the skipper continued his charge en route to a second half century in as many games.

Three quick wickets – including the key one of Lincoln – saw Finch crash from 96-3 to 103-6, although Ryan Quinn and Darron Augustus shared 27 for the seventh wicket to steady the ship.

However, Will Pendered (5-21) worked his way through the lower-middle order, with Finchampstead eventually bowled out for 146 in 40.1 overs.

Rehan Akram had Tom Condon magnificiently caught by wicketkeeper Simon Bell in the reply, but the rain arrived with Aston Rowant 20-1 from seven overs.

Finchampstead host last season’s runners-up Oxford on Saturday (11.30am).

In Division 2b of the Thames Valley League, Finchampstead 2nds were in trouble against Hurst before rain intervened.

Alex Kayser (73) and Kelvin Baillie (60no) both batted well as Hurst reached 159-1 from 32 overs before the game was called off.

Sean Woodward (2-33) bowled well for Finchampstead 3rds, but they too seemed to be in a worrying position as Farnham Royal amassed 139-3 off 34 overs before their Division 3a game was abandoned.

Captain Nigel Field (38), Jack Barton (37no) and Matt Shave (35no) were all among the runs for the visitors.

Ahmet Tuney bagged figures of 4-35 as Finchampstead 4ths had Hurst 2nds in trouble in Division 7a.

Adil Mohammed also picked up 2-18 as Hurst were reduced to 150-7 in 33.1 overs, skipper Ollie Lovegrove top scoring with 76 for the home side.