Published: Wednesday, 9th September, 2009 11:00am

Lane breathes sigh of relief as Finch escape

by Ben Steele

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FINCHAMPSTEAD skipper Russell Lane admits there is a sense of relief around the club after their final day escape from relegation.

Finch secured the derby victory they needed on the last day of the season to secure their Two West status after seeing off local rivals Wokingham by a comfortable six wickets.

And although that success meant Lane's men finished in an apparently comfortable sixth spot in the table, the captain knows how close they came to slipping out of the Home Counties League for the first time.

Finch had to win their final two games to ensure their safety and Lane admitted: "Relief is a good way to describe the feeling around the club.

"At the beginning of the season I think both ourselves and Wokingham thought the last game should be a promotion decider rather than a relegation battle.

"I have to say I don't like things going to the last game of the season - I would rather be able to relax and enjoy the final game.

"But for one of the first times this season we were able to pick from a squad of 12 first-teamers, we had to deliver and we were able to do it."

Next season will represent the third consecutive season that Finch have found themselves outside the top flight after being almost ever-present in Division One since the league was set up in 2000.

And Lane is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side if they want to return to those heights.

He said: "This league really is hard to get out of. The standard is very high all the way through and we have not had any easy games at all.

"From a batting point of view we have scored more hundreds than we did last year, but we have probably not taken enough wickets.

"We will be hoping to recruit a few players over the summer, but we are very much a village club.

"We have an excellent mix of both the friendly side and playing hard, honest, competitive cricket and hopefully that will prove attractive to any new players we can get on board."

One thing that will not change in 2010, however, is the man in charge, with Lane poised to take up the reins as captain again.

He explained: "I've still got a few years left in me and I'm as keen as I've always been so I should be back."

Finch produced a fine all round display to see off their already relegated neighbours at Finchampstead Park last Saturday.

Batting first, Wokingham struggled to get any momentum into their innings as the Finch bowling attack made regular breakthroughs each time a batsman seemed settled.

Ruki Soza (26), Sunny Grover (36), Gareth Duncan (29), Rahu Thava (33) and Martyn Wilson (25no) all made starts without kicking on to register a big score as Wokingham were eventually dismissed for 200 in the 51st over.

Opening bowlers Simon Hards (3-40) and Anthony Parson (3-52) were the pick of the home side's attack.

In reply, Wilson made the early breakthrough by dismissing Lane for six - the fifth time he has claimed the scalp of the opener in five games.

And the seamer soon followed that up by having the Division's second highest runmaker Matt Jones caught behind for 23.

But Aaron Todd was joined at the crease by Steve Brogan and the pair constructed the match-winning partnership to dash Wokingham's hopes of taking their rivals down with them.

Todd eventually fell for a well-made 90, leaving Brogan to see his side home on 45no as they reached 201-4 in the 41st over.

And Lane admitted that producing such a solid display in the final game leaves the team already looking forward to the next campaign.

He said: "We probably had the best of the pitch with the ball, but we did well to get a wicket every time they put a partnership together.

"After that it was really just a question of finishing the job, which Aaron did with the help of Steve.

"It's certainly the sort of display that gives us confidence for next season."