Finch ton inspires victory

The Sussex professional made 130 from 129 balls as Priory won by 90 runs at home to Tunbridge Wells in round two of the ECB Royal London Club Championship yesterday (Sunday).

Captaining the side, Finch helped Sussex Premier League outfit Priory get off to a decent start batting first against Kent Premier League team Tunbridge Wells by forging an opening partnership of 90 with Jed O’Brien (39).

Although number three Leo Cammish fell for a duck having made an unbeaten half-century in Saturday’s league draw with Brighton & Hove, Finch and Adam Maharaj-Newman (40 off 39 balls) proceeded to put on 96 for the third wicket.

Finch was eventually fourth man out with the score 227 having hit 15 fours and two sixes. Freddie Hulbert chipped in with 14 before Jake Woolley blasted 25 not out from 11 balls at the end as Priory finished their 45 overs on a very healthy 270-6.

O’Brien (2-40 off nine) made the breakthrough in the field for Priory thanks to a Woolley stumping with the score 34. Henry Smith landed the second blow 12 runs later before Hulbert ended a third wicket partnership of 49 by having Mark Alexander caught behind by Woolley for 35.

Will Stickler (37) and Christopher Williams (25) put on 42 for the fourth wicket, but Cameron Smith dismissed both batsmen within 15 runs of each other and the innings went into decline thereafter.

The last six wickets, which included a Henry Smith run out, fell for just 28 runs as Tunbridge Wells were all out for 180 in 38.3 overs. Cameron Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 5-25 from 6.3 overs.