Finchampstead opened up some breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation from Home Counties Premier 1 with a five-wicket win at Thame Town.
Dan Lincoln’s charges had won just once all season, against Oxford back in May, but they moved 34 points clear of the bottom two with Saturday’s victory.
Thame won the toss and opted to bat first, but Finch picked up two early wickets with Ryan Quinn and Darron Augustus doing the honours.
Opener Michael Beard produced a solid knock of 27 off 84 balls but James Adams was the top scorer with 37 as Finch enjoyed a good day with the ball.
Craig Hodges was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-28 while Quinn, Augustus and James Woodford all took two wickets apiece as Thame were bowled out for 149.
Finch lost an early wicket in reply in that of Greg Smith (8), but from there Adam Dewes and Ed Oliver put on a good partnership before the former fell for 41.
Dan Lincoln came and went with a quick-fire 21 and when Oliver departed having scored a watchful 14 from 66 deliveries, Finch were well-placed on 109-4.
And they saw the win over the line in 41 overs thanks to good knocks from Quinn (30) and Zafar Ali (20no).
In Home Counties Premier 2, Wokingham drew for the third straight week.
Chesham opted to bat first at Sadlers End and produced a good innings as the Oaks struggled to halt their momentum.
Lewis Sharp made the breakthrough to remove opener Matthew Rance (19) while Iain Muirden ended with two wickets to his name.
But the visitors’ tally of 291-5 would prove difficult to chase down.
However, Wokingham began well with the promoted duo James Bird and Salman Khalid, fresh off centuries for the 2s last week, opened the batting and put on a stand of 38 before Bird was caught for 16.
Khalid continued up to 44 before being run out to leave the score 105-2.
Wickets steadily tumbled from there with the hosts stumbling to 160-7 despite good knocks from Dan Housego (42) and Archie Carter (20).
When Jacob Clark was dismissed for an important 36, focus switched to ensuring they saw out the draw and with Ahmed Shiryar (29no) in good form, Wokingham closed on 229-8 to take eight points from the contest.
The draw leaves Stuart Hayter’s men seventh in the table, still closer to the top two than the relegation spots.
