Winning the toss Tring Park inserted Finches to bat first on a hot and sunny day. Openers Greg Smith and Ollie Soames set off well and in seven overs had settled in with 39 without loss. Then Ollie Soames was run out attempting a second run and then Greg Smith played slightly too soon to be caught at extra cover. So 39 – 2 and a change in the space of a few balls.

Worse followed as skipper Dan Lincoln was caught at long off so 48 – 3 and only 10 overs gone. The next six overs saw Adam Dewes and Ed Oliver steady the innings a little but at 64 was caught in the covers. When at 79 Josh Lincoln was caught at deep square leg five were down and only 20 overs bowled.

Finches simply could not get into the match after the early reversals. At 98 two more had fallen Andy Woodland tempting catches from Craig Hodges and Ed Oliver., So 98 -7 and the innings in total disarray. By the 26th over Andy woodland had secured his fifth wicket . But the closing two wickets saw ten overs used and the score to 122 all out. For the hosts the medium pace of Andy Woodland saw him take 6 – 24.

The meagre score was never to be any form of challenge. This proved to be the case for Tring Park despite losing a wicket at 14. Opener Andy woodland together with Michael Payne hammered the bowling before Andy Woodland was caught off Adam Dewes at 93. Tring eased home at 124 – 2 for a comfortable win.

Finches cannot be content at all on their batting failure which brought them only two points from the match. They were later heartened that the bottom two clubs both lost and are relegated. Finches need to step up their remaining two matches to complete the season.

All four TVCL sides saw the usual action. The Seconds in division 2B had an attractive local match against Hurst Firsts. Hurst batting first hit a comfortable 239 – 7. Finches were proceeding well at 142 – 3 but a fine innings from Simon Bell with 55 ended with a caught and bowled. Although they kept going wickets fell at regular intervals and Finches were dismissed for 191 to lose by 48 runs.

The Thirds in division 3A hosted Purley- on - Thames Firsts. Finches totalled 200 – 8 with Ian Rose 59 and Andy Webb 41. But the visiting Purley were winners at 204 – 6.

Visiting Fleet Seconds in division 6B the Fourths secured a fine win. Fleet totalled 199 with Joe Sheldon taking 3 – 48. Finches were comfortably winners at 201 – 6 thanks to a magnificent 115 not out from Kartik Kanthy.

The Fifths visited Boyne Hill Fourths in division 8A. The hosts hit a score of 301 – 6 even though Ben Elsey took 3 – 32. Finches found the high score too much as they were dismissed for 146. Adam Telford with 33 led the batters.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY