On winning the toss, Finches skipper Chris Britz elected to take first strike. Openers James Isbell and Greg Smith proceeded to 40 in 14 overs against the Bucks County bowlers. Cam Parsons and spinner Conor Haddow. Then at 63 and 23 overs gone, both openers were dismissed lbw to Haddow. In the 29th over, Josh Pistorius was stumped off spinner Max Uttley, so the 84 – 3 scoreline. Underway was a fine partnership between Chris Britz and Tommie Predgen. The pair put on a valuable 79 in 19 overs to see the score to 163. Tommie fell caught in the covers off Haddow for his 44. With the basis set for a good score, Ben Salter set about the attack batting with Chris. He hammered 39 in 23 balls and then
fell bowled by Haddow, so 217 for 5 on the board and ten available overs remaining.
Fine strokes by Chris Britz and Mike O’Donoghue saw 103 runs put on in the unbroken stand. Mike was 53 not out and Chris 93 not out, thus continuing his outstanding batting form. The closure in 64 overs; a wellmade 320 – 5. Given 56 overs, High Wycombe needed a sound start.

Openers Alan Dobbs and Charles Hemp saw the 50 up in 9 overs. Then in the tenth, Hemp fell for 42 by a brilliant diving catch at mid-on by Liam Bulteel off Lewis Sharp. Immediately Dobbs fell bowled by Samm Daniel. So, 59 – 2 in eleven overs. By tea it was 80 – 2 in 19 overs.

Just what was discussed at tea is of course unknown. But the hosts clearly had decided not to attempt the total and not give wickets away if possible. In the 15 overs after the interval, only 34 runs were put on.

Batsmen Andy Woodland and Elliot Callis proceeded by singles and only occasional boundaries. With six overs remaining, they were 146 – 2. Then no runs were scored off these last overs although just four runs were needed for a batting point at 150.

High Wycombe closed for the draw on 146 – 2 in 56 overs. Andy Woodland scored 29 in 149 balls and Elliot Callis 51 in 123 balls. Wycombe had 9 points with Finches got 10 points, remaining top of the table with five matches remaining.

All four TVCL sides saw successful action. In division 3A visitors Peppard Stoke Row were bowled out for 122, Sam Smith 3 – 16 and James Woodford 3 – 53 led the bowlers. Finches won at 123 – 4 with skipper Stuart Parsons 45.

The Thirds in 4A hosted Newbury Firsts on the Leas. Newbury closed on 239 – 9 with two wickets apiece for Matt Arnold and Kyle Storkey. Finches won by six wickets at 244 – 4. The fine win was led by 107 not out by Javier Frost with Andy Webb 40.

For the Fourths in 7A, it was to visit Newbury Seconds. The side containing only two players over the age of 18 posted 200 – 8. Ian Rose 48 and Henry Crowhurst 41 led the batters. Newbury were all out for 156 for the 44 run win with Max Hall returning 4 – 18.

The Fifths hosted Sulhampstead Fourths in 10C. They dismissed Sulhampstead for 156 with Dave Marles taking 4 – 36. Finches won comfortably in 19 overs at 175 – 4. But the real drama arrived with the score at 101. The young visitor’s bowler could not ground the ball at all . The first five balls all were “no ball” and hit for sixes by Rob Johnson. The bowler conceded no less than a remarkable 56 runs in the hapless over! For the win Rob Johnston hit 59 not out and Ananth Raman 54 not out.