The 1s kicked off the season with a strong win over Winchmore Hill. Having been put into bat, Gish and Matt put together an excellent opening partnership, ticking over at nearly a run a ball for the first 15 overs. After Matt fell LBW for 39, Gish kicked on, with the only chance offered coming via an outrageous one-handed effort at deep midwicket from a trademark Gish Herath slop sweep. With useful support from the middle order, including 25 from ‘Popadom Tim’ on one leg, Gish fell agonisingly short of a maiden 1st XI hundred. An excellent innings, however, and the Herath family weren’t done yet, with Rishan Herath compiling a swashbuckling death-overs cameo (25* from 10 balls) to take Finchley to a commanding first innings total. Reverse sweep was followed by switch hit, which was followed by an enormous bomb that skipped over the pavilion and onto their 4th XI ground.

Finchley’s seamers flew out the traps, and a lively opening spell from Seb and Dave put Finchley firmly ahead in the game. Seb claimed two shins and a broken finger on his way to 6-1-15-2 and the umpires player of the match award, whilst Dave got his reward towards the end of his spell, dismissing their overseas all-rounder. A solid 5th wicket stand threatened a comeback, but with Michael bowling tightly from one end, a direct hit run out from Aizaz at deep midwicket landed the decisive blow. Dom found the edge of their no 5 to put the result beyond doubt, and Tim pulled off a one-handed grab at slip off Michael to ruin the cordon’s 100% record in 2022. A great start to the year for the 1s, who welcome Brondesbury to Arden Field next Saturday.

2s (127-2) beat Winchmore Hill (125ao) by 8 wickets

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Finchley 2nd XI kicked off the league season at home to Winchmore Hill on Saturday looking to continue the form shown in pre season and get off the mark with a win to set the tone for their ambitions for the coming year. Losing the toss Finchley stand in skipper Matt Walshe was surprised to hear the Winchmore Hillians decide to have a bat on a green top, that was always going to provide some early help to the new ball and seamer’s, especially after a light drizzle began as the 5 minute bell was rung. Warm ups and hiit classes finalised the lads took to the field.

Pre season has seen some fiery and extremely classy opening spells from young pace bowler Zoraiz Moiz and grabbing the opportunity to do the same in the first league game of the season he again began with confidence and aggressiveness. It was his opening bowling partner Jaimin Patel who struck first however. An early loosener clipped off leg stump down to a well postioned fine leg and a smart grab at the second attempt began the celebrations. Wickets followed at regular intervals from that point on for the bowlers, with contributions spread all round. Zoraiz picking up 3-25 from his 9 overs. Jaimin 2-34 from his 9 (including both openers). Nir Shah 2-26, and all three spinners taking a wicket apiece. Winchmore Hill finished all out for 125 in 37.1 overs, but with 34 extras on their total, a few tough chances going down in the field, and having had them 81-8, all the positives, but still plenty to work on going forwards.

Filled with Linda’s tomato pasta and garlic bread, Will Leggett and NZ overseas Caleb James donned their pads and began the hunt for 126 runs and an opening day victory. The pair batted calmly and serenely putting on 65 for the opening wicket at just about a run a ball, before Will ferociously fired back a low full toss back to a Winchmore Spinner who took a very decent caught and bowled. Only one more wicket fell in a rather thankfully uneventful run chase, and after Caleb got to his maiden fifty for the club with some feisty overthrows, in just 21.4 overs Finchley had reached their target and gained their first win and 10 points of the season.

Beers, some questionable singing, and a fitting Arden Field sunset followed. A solid start to the season for the 2’s.

3s (118 ao) lost to North London (212-7) by 94 runs

A good effort with bat and ball by Hoops, but unfortunately the 3s fell comfortably short against North London.

4s (206-9) beat Alexandra Park (194 ao) by 12 runs

A stunning hatrick by newcomer colt Delin Chacko snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Finchley 4'th against Alexandra Palace 3'rds. Finchley won the toss and on a wicket of variable bounce and movement, started promisingly (100-2 at 20 overs). All first five batsman made double digit scores, but none were able to convert a good start into a 50. Despite losing momentum and quick wickets in the middle order, Finchley posted 206 runs after 45 overs.

New comer 'Ali' , bowling left arm spin over the wicket, claimed 5 wickets for 52 off 12 overs, bowling 3 batsman and even claiming an LBW! Just as it looked as though Alexandra Palace would scrape home, 14-year-old Delin demonstrated the ability to bowl straight and on a good line and length, ending with figures of 2-0-9-4. Deservedly he won 'man of the match' but, as importantly, our first game for Finchley 4's.

Sunday

Chess Valley 1st XI (110-0) beat Graces (108 ao) by 10 wickets.

The Sunday Army marched north to the resplendent Broxbourne CC, for a clash of the titans with Graces CC. Frank lost the toss. Jaimin and Hoops got into a remarkable contest with the Graces opening batters. One of whom, with shades on and oozing positive intent, unfurled some audacious strokeplay to turn the heat up on Finchley’s opening pair. Ultimately, the seam attack had no answer to his chanceless attacking play, so General Frank turned to his two overseas spinners to make the key breakthrough. Micheal duly obliged third ball, as hoops took a good catch at deep midwicket. Essentially nothing happened for the rest of the Graces innings, with Caleb and Michael spinning a web around the Graces batting lineup, taking wickets at regular intervals. The Graces player umpire showed real enthusiasm giving a succession of LBWs against his teammates off Caleb, before Frank and Seb outfoxed the tail with some very clever bowling. Chasing 108, Will Munford and Benji Powe opened the innings, and it was a very cagey first few overs, with the watchful opening pair edging to 36-0 off the first six overs. From then on, however, dynamic scoring options were employed, with Benji wafting a number of balls through cover and midwicket, and Will beginning to deal with the Graces change bowlers. The chase was over in a flash, as the men of the valley were left to ponder the vagaries of a tossed coin.

Players of the weekend: Gish Herath (1st XI) & Delin Chacko (4th XI)