Ealing 151-9

Finchley 150-8

Four run-outs proved disastrous for Finchley as they lost to Ealing by one run in an exciting finish to their Abbot Ale Cup national competition clash at Corfton Road on Sunday.

They'll be looking for consolation when they face holders and arch rivals Brondesbury in the Evening Standard Trophy (fourth round) at Arden Field on Sunday.

Set a modest target of 152 off 45 overs by the Middlesex League champions, Finchley got off to a reasonable start, reaching 22 off six overs, when skipper Glucka Wijesuriya was out for 10.

Then came the first run-out setback when Steve Selwood (26) failed to make his ground, 54-2, off 18 overs.

Worse followed when key batsman Kirthi Ranasinghe was needlessly run-out for one. His partner Peter Sogbodjor called for a third run, but Ranasinghe was reluctant and failed to get in.

Sogbodjor (53) was again in good form, but Jamie Whelan (22) became bogged down as their 61 stand took too long. When Whelan fell to a return catch, 118-4, 34 were required off six overs.

A severe blow for Finchley came when Sogbodjor was stumped trying a big hit, 122-5.

With 29 needed off five overs, Neil Sen and Jake Milton decided a bold approach was essential, and Sen hit a magnificent straight six, before being bowled for 12.

Milton became the fourth run-out victim, and Richard Johns hit out in vain, leaving nine runs required off the last over with two wickets in hand.

Eddie Hodges and Kus Bharadia made a brave attempt, but Finchley ended one short on 150-8.

Earlier, Sogbodjor, deputising for regular wicketkeeper Ben Scott who was not eligible, caught opener Aashid off Steve Blyghton (2-13), and Ealing were 15-1 off 10 overs.

Diwan became Blyghton's second victim, caught by Ranasinghe and after 20 overs, Ealing were 53-3.

A fine throw to the bowler's end by Milton led to Ahluwalia being run-out and more problems arose for Ealing, who slumped to 69-6.

Bharadia (2-39) struck, bowling Boyton (7), Williams was bowled by Eddie Hodges (2-39), and Richard Johns took a magnificent diving catch at short extra cover to account for Ali (10).

Dattani and Soni fought back, adding 51, before Soni fell lbw to Hodges.

Datani (40) was caught by Bharadia off Ranasinghe, and Ealing ended on 151-9.

Even allowing for the fact that the ball was not coming on to the bat, this target should have been attainable comfortably, but Finchley committed suicide with the run-outs.

In Saturday's all-day home league game with Brentham,. Finchley were 194-6 (Wijesuriya 77, Laraman 32) when a torrential downpour brought an early end.

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