Finchley Cricket Club got their Middlesex County Cricket League Division One campaign off to a winning start as they recorded a 92-run victory against Richmond.

Finchley lost the toss and were inserted by their opponents. It looked a wise choice by Richmond as they dismissed Finchley openers Majed Ali (nought) and Sohail Idrees (seven) early on.

Joshua Knappett in at number three helped steady the innings with a knock of 37 off 37 balls but the stand-out contribution came from Jake Milton.

The middle order failed to add runs and with the Finchley total on 88 for six, it seemed like a big total was beyond them.

However, Milton continued to play his shots and was eventually bowled by Shiva Prasad on 82.

Tail-enders Sunil Tailor (50) and Fraham Butt (25) added important runs to get Finchley to a final score of 230 for eight from their 60 overs.

Richmond made a solid start to their innings but when Kevin Barrett (19) was caught by Idrees a collapse ensued and they looked in trouble on 54 for five.

Alex Griffiths struck an important 43 from 54 balls for Richmond but he was trapped LBW by Butt. Jack Porter added 20 while Prasad contributed 16 not out but it wasn’t enough as Richmond were skittled with just 138 on the board.

The stand-out performers with the ball for Finchley were Butt, who took four for 35 and Michael Edwards who claimed four for 45.