Cricket: TITLE hopefuls High Wycombe came crashing back down to earth with a shock home defeat against Finchampstead on Saturday.

The defeat, by three wickets, came just seven days after the Warriors had opened their campaign with a victory at champions Henley raising hopes of a third title in four years to an all-time high, But they spectacularly hit the buffers in their first home league game of the season when they were skittled all-out for 162 in 53 overs on a very green wicket.

They were in trouble from the early stages, collapsing to 68-5 with only Robbie Jones 48 and Neil Haynes 21 showing any resistance in the face of some excellent bowling from Nick Denning, who took six for 59.

The returning Adam Cole (14) and Daniel Senior (ten) added a vital 12 runs for the last wicket.

And the Wycombe duo's efforts looked like they might not be in vain, as Finchampstead were reeling at 44-4 with Daniel Senior (4-44) putting the squeeze on.

But with Paul Carter (37) and Matt Jones (23) coming together for a fifth wicket stand and Denning (14) and Joe Kingstone (14) as Finchley weathered the storm and cruised to a three wicket victory.

On Saturday, Wycombe return to league action when they face auld rivals Slough before visiting Eastcote in the National Knockout Cup on Sunday.

It was a bad day all round for Wycombe. Their second team also lost as they came up against the might of Kenyan World Cup player Hitesl Modi in their Thames Valley League match at Chesham.

The Kenyan followed up his century last week in their win over Harefield by claiming impressive bowling figures of 7-54 as High Wycombe made 152-8 in their allotted overs with Simon Bird (33) and Simon Russell scoring 23 off 30 balls.

In reply, Chesham passed the total with the loss of five wickets in 33.4 overs with Graham Rance scoring 57 and Modi 25.

Elsewhere in the Thames Valley League first division, O. Wrighton (94) and Graham Paskins (74) helped Marlow to a convincing win in their derby over Marlow Park. Marlow scored 265-4 and then bowled Park out for 125 to claim the full 25 points on offer and the local bragging rights.

Meanwhile in the Home Counties Division Two West league, Shakil Ahmed's impressive figures of 6-55 helped Beaconsfield beat North Maidenhead by 23 runs after Becky had set a total of 131.

In the same division, Gerrards Cross drew with Thame despite a knock of 90 from Alan Duncan.