Opening with Adam Dewes and Ollie Soames soon 41 was the scoreline in nine overs when Adam was bowled by Simon Simon Stanway. This paved the way for a fine 99 run partnership for Ollie And Dan Lincoln. But at 140 Dan was run out for 39. When in the 23rd over Billy Rogers was bowled by Andy Harris it was 150 – 3.

With 194 on the board it was 194 – 5. Ollie Soames had fallen for his excellent 94. Then good runs from Josh Lincoln and Ryan Bone saw the 250 up in the 45th over. Josh fell at 306 for his well struck 69 then Ryan soon followed for 43. But there were still 15 overs available. Steady strokes from the tail saw Finches declare on 353 – 9 in 58 overs.

This left Tring to get 354 with 62 overs available. With 64 on the board Tring were 2 wickets down. Andy Woodland was well caught by Josh Lincoln in the slips then Chris MacDowall Was caught off Josh Lincoln. Fifteen overs later saw 148 on the board when the third wicket of Michael Payne when he was caught behind off Zak Jones.

Batting well Tring advanced to 237 when opener Sam Cl;ark was out caught off his fine 97. Shelvin Gumbs soon followed LBW to Darren Augustus so 242 – 5. Tring still had 18 overs remaining so these two wickets were crucial for Finches. The visitors lost another wicket at 244 with a run out. With 8 overs to go Mike Grinham was bowled by Zak Jones then the eighth wicket fell at 273 with four overs to go.

The last overs were played out by Tring so 280 – 8 and the match drawn.
A run filled match of 633 runs in the fine conditions at Finchampstead.

Three TVCL sides saw action. At Hurst Firsts in division 2B Finches were dismissed for 174. Leading the batters were Connor Corlett 40, Tommie Predgen 40 and Greg Smith 32. Hurst romped home at 175 – 2 for the eight wicket win.

The Thirds in division 3A visited Purley – on-Thames Firsts . They were dismissed for 188 with Richard Reed 56, Paddy Fall 37 and Ian Rose 31. In a dramatic finish Purley were dismissed for 166 so a 22 run win. Parth Patel took his fifth wicket with the last ball of the match to return 5 – 30. Matt Harper weighed in with 3 – 45.

On the leas Finchampstead Fourths saw Fleet Seconds as visitors. Finches batting first closed on 243 – 6. Chris ward 64 and Emily Cunningham 41 led the batters. Fleet finished for the draw at 201 – 8 with Emily Cunningham taking 4 – 61.

NEIL DOODY 22 JUNE 2019