Cross keep it tight at the top

8/15/2009

Finchampstead 273-10 (59.1 overs)
Gerrards Cross 232-7 (52 overs)
Match Drawn

Gerrards Cross kept up the pressure on HCPCL Division 2 West leaders Aston Rowant following a high scoring
draw at home to Finchampstead.

An opening stand of 54 in 12 overs by Russell Lane (22) and Aaron Todd (127) gave Finchampstead a good start.
But two wickets in two balls from Alan Duncan (6-89) checked their progress. Two more wickets from Duncan and
one from Jon Newell (4-66) then reduced Finch to 76-5 and a good start had been wasted.
But, Aussie, Aaron Todd led the fight back with a classy innings of 127. He shared a sixth wicket stand of 127 with
Andrew House (49) as Finch reach 222-6 with ten overs remaining.
Finch were hoping for a score in excess of 300, but the re-introduction of Duncan slowed the scoring rate. Wickets
began to tumble towards then end of the innings and Finch were all out in the last over for a potentially match
winning total of 273.
Johnny Hughes was promoted to opening the batting in order to give the Cross a quick start which would be vital in
their pursuit of victory. Unfortunately, the plan failed – he was out for just 10.
Hamza Taj (66) and Alan Duncan (35) took the score to 160-3 and with a minimum of nine overs left some serious
fire-power was needed. Then came the talking point of the match as Taj was given out for Obstructing the Field
after interfering with a run out attempt.
With the required run-rate now 11 runs per over, Gary Hales attempted to force and unlikely victory with a 36 ball
fifty. But it was too little too late and the Cross finished on 232-7.
Falkland have moved into second place following their victory over Burnham and the Cross have slipped to third.
But Aston Rowant’s defeat by Thame Town mean that only four points separate the top three teams.
The Cross travel Falkland next week and a win for either side could have a massive impact on the title race,