On winning the toss Finch skipper Chris Britz elected to bat first. Openers Greg
smith and James Isbell batted well to see the 50 up in 9 overs. Then at 59 both
were dismissed. Both drove at wid-ish deliveries to be well caught at slip. Then with
82 on the board spinner Max Mannering took two wickets. Josh Pistorius fell lbw
then Chris Britz was caught behind. At 94 and 27 overs faced Tommie
Predgen fell bowled by Mannering Finches were in some difficulty.

A 21 overs partnership commenced by Mike O’Donoghue and Jed Crerar their fine
strokes producing 77 runs. Then both were out with the score 171. Jed was caught
for 44 off Elliot Matthews then Mike was bowled by Tristan Rossouw for 30. Lewis
Sharp followed at 182 then some strokes by Samm Daniel saw the score to 205 all
out in 58 overs.

Given 62 overs, Rowant openers put 38 on the board in 10 overs. Then seamer Liam
Bulteel had Tom Condon caught at mid on. Then at 48 two more fell both to Liam.
He had Ollie Burland caught then trapped Hayden Rossouw lbw. He then bowled
Les Hayes so at 49 – 4, Liam had secured all four wickets. In the 20th over spinner
Samm Daniel caught and bowled Charlie Russell so the visitors were in some
trouble at 55 – 5.

Worse followed as Samm then secured two lbw's to see the scoreline at 78 – 7 in
28 overs. The fight back, so needed by Rowant, then arrived with Ben le Bas and
Elliot Matthews both batting steadily. Despite bowling changes the pair advanced
the score by 62 in 21 overs. Finally James Woodford trapped Le Bas for 35 in the
59th over. With one ball remaining of the 62 overs rain stopped play at 6 :40 pm. No
more play was possible but had it not rained Finches could have bowled more
overs by 7 pm under the match regulations.

Aston Rowant drew the match at 144 – 8. Liam Bulteel returned 4 – 40 and Samm
Daniel 3 – 38. The 10 points from the match gives Finches a 7 point lead in the
table over nearby Henley.

The four TVCL sides saw action. The Seconds in Division 3A visited Theale &
Tilehurst Firsts. The hosts were 178 all out with Dilan Patel taking 3 – 46. Finches
closed for the draw at 139 – 8, Dilan hitting 38.

The Thirds in 4A were visitors at local Eversley Seconds. Eversley posted 302 – 7
with a return of 4 – 76 by Matt Harper. Finches successfully chased the large total
at 305 – 5. Javier Frost led with a fine 117 not out and skipper Gareth Fearon 55
not out.

On the Leas the Fourths faced Maidenhead & Bray Thirds in 7A. Batting first
Finches were 217 all out. Henry Crowhurst 63, Mike Smith 40 and skipper Ian Rose
37 led the batters. In a close finish the visitors were narrowly home at 218 – 7 to
win by three wickets. There were two wickets apiece for Madav Srivaghan, Henry
Crowhurst and Louis O’Donoghue.

In 10C, the Fifths were visitors to Aldershot Fourths. Batting first, Finches were 211 – 7
with Gary Woodford hitting a fine 106 not out. Then the heavens opened and the
storm prevented any further play so an abandoned match.