SEVENTY years ago this month cricket started at the Memorial Park in Finchampstead with Denis Maynard playing in the opening match. In the following game, he took 7-18 in 11 overs.

Maynard has remained at the club ever since so he would have been rather shocked, even horrified, to see what happened last Saturday.

Finch were rolled over for just 125 on their way to a crushing 10-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Datchet, playing their first Home Ccounties Premier League Division One match since promotion.

Electing to bat first, the hosts reached 28 without loss, but then lost three wickets while adding just one run.

Fellow opener Greg Smith was run out for 19 and one run later club newcomer Toby Albert was also run out after facing just two balls. Both dismissals were credited to Max Stevenson, a former Finchampstead player.

With Ryan Quinn (4), Billy Rogers (7) and Simon Bell (9) all falling cheaply, the hosts had five men back in the pavilion with only 60 runs on the board.

At this stage, a lot depended on skipper Dan Lincoln, but when on 32 he was hit high up on his pads by Ollie Birts and unluckily given out, leaving his side 87-6.

Dan's brother, Josh and Zac Jones helped improve the situation slightly with scores of 20 and 16 respectively, but their total of 125 from 36.1 overs was an extremely disappointing total.

Spinner Birts was the pick of the bowlers with 4-26 off 9.1 overs, while Steve Naylor claimed 2-25.

Skipper Naylor opened the Datchet batting with new club member Joe Barrett, and the pair never really looked in any trouble.

The stylish Barrett finished unbeaten on 70 from 56 balls, hitting two sixes and eight fours, and Naylor was on 54 (77 balls) when they guided the visitors to an emphatic win off the first ball of the 23rd over.

Finch will be looking for a much-improved performance when they visit Buckingham this coming Saturday,