On winning the toss and electing to bat visitors High Wycombe started poorly against some fine Finches pace bowling. They lost both openers to LBW in the first two overs. Then Liam Bulteel bowled Bruce Hobbs to leave Wycombe at 9 – 3. By the time Liam had taken his fourth wicket, it was five down for Wycombe. After the sixth wicket, fell stumped off spinner Samm Daniel, the visitors were in real trouble. But very useful runs from Harry Chapman 37 and Andy Hobbs 42 saw the hundred up. Hobbs was bowled by Lewis Sharp and with Chris Britz removing the tail, Wycombe were 127 all out in 46 overs. For Finches Liam returned a fine 4 – 21 in his 10 overs assisted by two apiece for Lewis and Chris.

The modest looking score meant only two and a half runs an over to be needed by Finches. Wycombe opened their attack with Bucks seamers and spinners Cameron Parsons and Connor Haddow. Haddow could not have started better as Finches were reduced to 10 – 4 with all wickets falling to him. Three were dismissed by the spinner for ducks then Greg Smith fell caught. Finches never recovered slumping to 22 – 7 then ended at a remarkable 37 all out in 25 overs. A Finches lowest score in many a memory as the visitors were merited victors by 90 runs.

Even so it is three wins in four matches and despite the calamitous result Finches are only two points off the top of the table.

All four TVCL sides saw action. The Seconds in 3A visited Peppard Stoke Row Firsts. They dismissed the hosts for 162 with Dilan Patel taking 4 – 40 and Abdulla Iqbal taking 3 – 49. The runs were gathered at 163 – 5 with Matt Eldridge scoring 52. So four wins in a row and a fine start for the Seconds.

The thirds were visitors to Newbury firsts. Newbury were 197 all out with Matt Arnold taking 4 – 50 and Aran Gavankar taking 3 – 20. But Finches were dismissed for 130 to lose by 67 runs.

The Fourths hosted Newbury Seconds in 7A. Finches were 158 all out with Kwame Appiah hitting 92 not out. In a close finish the visitors won by two wickets at 159 – 8. Kailan Patel took a fine 4 – 13 for Finches.

The Fifths lost at Sulhampstead Thirds in 10C. The hosts hit 255 – 4. Finches were all out for 122 so lost by 133 runs. Gary Woodford with 36 and skipper Mark Wright 35 led the batters.

Standout Performances: