Asked to bat first Finches opened with Tommie Predgen and Josh Lincoln. Facing the pace of Tom Nugent and Tom Scriven Tommie Predgen was trapped LBW to Scriven in the sixth over. Then with Dan Lincoln joining his brother at the crease the pair set about settling in after the early reversal. But at 46 and in the twelfth over Josh was caught at long on for a well struck 34.

Finches then were in some difficulty as Toby Albert was bowled by spinner Ali Raja so 47 – 3 and 17 overs bowled. Then Billy Rogers arrived at the crease with the pair then embarking on a sound partnership. The score with 42 overs gone was 140 – 3 Henley containing the batsmen bowling very much to their field placings. Three more overs had gone when the excellent innings of Billy Rogers ended on 72 when he was bowled by Andy Rishton.
Urgent acceleration was now needed as Dan Lincoln and Ryan Bone . Ryan hit two sixes before perishing caught. Dan wet on to see the 200 up and at the close Finches were 213 – 5 with Dan 77 not out. So a workmanlike score but looking to be a little modest in the good conditions.

Finches attack started well with seamer Zak Jones joined at the start by spinner James Woodford. Soon spinner Billy Rogers and seamer Darren Augustus were also in action. This early use of the bowling saw Henley reduced to 33 – 2 in nine overs. Matt Rowe was bowled by Zak Jones and Tom Scriven was caught behind off Darren Augustus.

With Richard Morris joining his skipper Mike Roberts at the crease Henley steadily worked their way to the 100 runs but then lost Morris well caught and bowled by Josh Lincoln for 41. This proved to be the last wicket taken by Finches as Roberts and Euan Woods worked their way to the total. Henley won at 216 – 3 with a comfortable four overs remaining. Mike Roberts with a fine 89 not out and Euan Woods with 43 not out led the victory surge.

Action as usual for the four TVCL sides. Not good for the Seconds in division 2B. They visited Henley Seconds but received a real hammering. Henley totalled 296 – 8 with Andy Lazenbury taking 3 – 54. But Finches in reply crumbled to 107 all out with only Matt Eldridge with 43 troubling the scorers.

A visit to Sulhampstead & Ufton Seconds for the Thirds in division 3A. Finches batting first were 226 all out. The innings was boosted by Sean Woodward 61, Paddy Fall 40 and Matt Harper 37 not out. Sulhampstead were also dismissed this for 196 so a 33 run win for Finches. Fine bowling from Sam Taylor saw him return 6 – 40.

A fine encounter on the Leas as Finches Fourths met Sonning Seconds in division 6B. Batting first Sonning slumped to 112 – 9 in 40 overs but hit 50 in the last five to be 162 all out. Sultan Khokhar 4 – 23 and Ollie Bareham 3 – 44 led the bowlers. Finches won narrowly after several late overs were tightly bowled Sonning. The score was 165 – 7 with skipper Chris Ward 39, Scott Osler 36 and Sultan Khokhar 29 not out.

At Royal Ascot Fourths the Fifths lost by six wickets. Finches were 153 – 9 at closure skipper Dave Marles hitting 41 and Matt Rowley 37. Royal Ascot at 157 – 4 won the match comfortably.

NEIL DOODY 9 JUNE 2019