Opening with Andrew House and Greg Smith they saw a difficult start as both batsmen were back in the pavilion together with Shiv Jindal in nine overs. House was caught at mid off, Smith lbw and Jindal caught in the slips. When Simon Bell was caught behind Finches were 37 – 4 and only 12 overs gone.

Then a steady stand between Adam Dewes returning to the side back from university and Ryan Quinn saw the side safely to the lunch interval. So after 32 overs the score was 89 – 4. But soon after the restart Ryan Quinn was bowled by spinner Ali Raja. Ten runs on and Josh Lincoln was caught and bowled Raja.

The fine innings of Adam Dewes ended at 128 when he was bowled by Mo Haroon for 61. Skipper Dan Lincoln had joined the batsmen at eight but he soon lost Richard Reed unlucky to be out hit wicket again off Ali Raja. So 135 – 8 and a modest score beckoning.

Then with Rehan Akram joining Dan Lincoln the pair batted fluently and their fine partnership saw a stand of 99. With one ball remaining Akram was bowled by Bobby Sher for 46 leaving Lincoln 56 not out. A score of 235 – 9 in the 64 overs.

A good start for Finches as Fa Rafiq and Conrad Louth were both removed with 34 on the board. Rafiq was caught off Rehan Akram then Louth bowled by Adam Dewes with his first ball. At 59 the stroke playing Fahim Querishi was well caught at wide mid on by Andrew House to give Dewes his second wicket.

With the match now well poised Slough with Shahid Yousaf and Danny Akhtar at the crease saw them gradually well establish themselves. After 30 overs it was 112 – 3 with few alarms for the two batsmen. Despite using six bowlers and several changes Finches could not break the batsmen. They put on a superb stand of 179 to win the match by seven wickets and five overs remaining.

Shahid Yousaf and Danny Akhtar 72 not out saw Slough home for the comfortable win and just six points for Finches.

The usual action for the four TVCL sides. Finches Seconds hosted locals Wokingham Seconds in division 2B. Wokingham batting first were dismissed for 239 with Sam Taylor taking 5 – 81. Finches won comfortably by seven wickets at 240 – 3. Leading the batters were Ed Oliver 85 not out, Tommie Predgen 45, Russell Lane 38 and skipper Gary Loveday 37 not out.

In division 3A it was tough for the Thirds hosting Cove Seconds. Finches were all out for 187 with Tom Wroot 52 and Kwame Appiah 48. Cove eased home at 188 – 4 with the bowlers led by Ollie Bareham 3 – 50.

The Fourths were away to Aldershot Thirds in division 6B. They dismissed the hosts for 136 with Rachel Hardy taking 3 – 48. Finches were home to win at 139 – 5 with Gareth Biggs 66 not out.

Visiting Newbury Thirds in division 9A the Fifths totalled 221 – 5 in their allotted overs. Three players hit thirties with Jamie Brown top scoring with 52. After racing to 120 without loss Newbury faltered and finished on 190 – 5. So a win by 31 runs and a good table placing for the side.

REPORT FROM NEIL DOODY 16 JUNE 2018