On winning the toss Datchet elected to bat first. The visitors proceeded to 33 in 9 overs
then opener Zain Ashar was caught at slip off Lewis Sharp. Fine batting by Joe Barratt
saw the score to 96 in 22 overs. Then Skipper Billy Mead was caught at slip. At 134 and
with 33 overs played two more wickets has fallen. James Woodford secured both with
the fourth being the third slip catch by Stuart Parsons.

31 more runs and Datchet were 6 down for 165 in the 43rd over. Then at 170 the superb
innings by Joe Barratt ended well caught leg side by wicket keeper Tommie Predgen for
his 111. He had held the innings together with his fine century. The end soon came at 181
all out in 55 overs. Two wickets for Liam Bulteel and a direct throw run out by Greg Smith
saw the conclusion to the Datchet innings.

For the bowling honours Lewis Sharp returned 3 – 35, James Woodford 2 – 19 and Liam
Bulteel 2 – 28.

Given 65 overs to bat Finches opened with Greg Smith and Joe Sheldon. But with only 4
on the board and the second over Joe was caught at slip. Skipper Chris Britz then joined
Greg at the crease. The pair found the going good with no problems in building up the
score. At the 154 scoreline and in the 25th over the pair had put on 150 with 84 to Greg
and 56 to Chris.

The end came inside 30 overs. With five needed to win a four by Greg saw him to a fine
century. At 183 – 1 Finches duly won with ease Greg Smith being 101 not out and Chris
Britz 60 not out. The win sees 233 points scored being now 15 ahead of Henley with 218
points. The last four matches are on the 50 overs each basis.

A fine win embodying the spirit of the club especially this season. Although my brief is to
report on the matches I really must as President pay tribute to the outstanding luncheon
and tea on Saturday for the players and officials provided by John Reed and the tea by
Vicky. This also applies to the season as a whole with the catering throughout. Terrific !!

All four TVCL sides saw action. In division 3A the Seconds were visitors to nearby Hurst
Firsts. The hosts closed on 211 – 8. This was insufficient as the Finch openers put on 150
for the first wicket. Finches won by seven wickets at 212 – 3 with Ben Moffat 86 and Matt
Eldridge 74, so continue unbeaten in 14 matches.

The Thirds in 4A were also to visit locally to Wokingham Thirds. Wokingham closed on
225 – 9 with Henry Leach returning 3 – 45. Finches won at 228 – 8 with Wes Roberts 50,
Javier Frost 41 and Christian Taylor 40.

On the Leas Finches Fourths hosted Bradfield Firsts in 7A. Bradfield were dismissed for
191 with Ben Amor returning 3 – 24 and Ethan Chapman 3 – 28. In a good finish Finches
won at 195 – 6 and 4 overs to spare. Joe Simmons hit 88 and skipper Ian Rose 29. These
are two valuable wins on 3rd and 10th August for the side.

The Fifths in 10C visited Aldershot fifths. The hosts hit 220 but Finches at all out 135 lost
by 85 runs.