A rather greenish looking pitch meant on winning the toss Finches skipper James Woodford asked Buckingham to take first knock. This certainly paid early dividends as the hosts were reduced to 27 – 3 in 13 overs. Seamers Ollie Thilo and Liam Bulteel took these wickets. The surface looked to have turn and variable bounce as Buckingham failed to score a further run for 42 balls whilst on 27. They also lost two further wickets the fifth off spinner Guy Ashby. In the 24th over Matt Gilkes secured the 6th wicket then by the 28th over it was 49 – 7. Spinner Samm Daniel bowled Jim Tarling in his first over.

Buckingham resumed after the interval with Lahiri Gamage and George Humphries taking on the pace attack. They doubled the score by the 45th over despite Finches using six bowlers. Eventually Gamage fell caught and bowled James Woodford for 44 in the 47th over. James immediately trapped Ali Sharma lbw so 132 – 9. But more fine strokes from Humphries saw the score to 166 as he was stumped off Guy Ashby for 52. So the last three wickets put on 117 runs for the plucky hosts.

Finch openers Greg Smith and Ben Moffat batted well yet appreciating the ongoing turn and often low bounce in the wicket. They were two down after 13 overs Greg being lbw and Matt Gilkes caught in the covers. The Toby Albert joined Ben Moffat the pair seeing the 100 up in 21 overs. At 108 Ben was caught at slip for a fine 52.

The going got tighter as Finches moved cautiously towards the target. They lost Stuart Parsons and Zac Leonard while still needing 23 more runs. But were home in 43 overs at 169 – 5 thanks to a well worked 48 not out by Toby Albert.

So 50 points from these latest two matches and a step up the table for Finches.

All four TVCL sides saw action. In 2B the Seconds hosted Fleet Firsts. Batting first Finches saw pace bowler Lewis Sharp play a batsman’s role. He hit 85 and supported by Joe Sheldon 49 not out saw Finches total 205 – 5. Fleet had no answers as they fell for 85 all out to the spin of Mark Laithwaite 5 – 19 and Mike O’Donohue 4 – 37.

On the Leas the Thirds in 4A bowled Thatcham Seconds out for 269 with Mo Shamoon taking 3 – 32. The side held on to draw the match at 231 – 9. Mike Jones 69 and Aran Gavankar 60 led the batters.

The Fourths in 5B visited Newbury Firsts. Newbury posted 230 – 8 with James Duffin returning 3 – 48. Finches were all out for 197 despite a fine 106 by Christian Taylor.

For the Fifths in 9A it was a welcome win at Wokingham Sixths. Wokingham were all out for 145 with Sam Fearon 4 – 25 and Dave Marles 3 – 17. Finches were just home at 146 – 9. Rui Wright 44 and Milo Swanton 40 led the batters.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY