Still rather cloudy morning conditions as the visitors on winning the toss elected to bat first in the 64 to 56 overs for each side match. No early problems for Downs as openers Will Watts and Tom Powell saw 49 on the board in 12 overs before Watts fell LBW to Chris Britz. George Sandbach and Powell proceeded steadily for the next 10 overs . But
with spinner Samm Daniel into his rhythm, he had Sandbach caught at slip at 89. Two more soon fell –James Woodford having Fred Smith also caught at slip; then Samm took the important wicket of Powell trapped lbw for 56.

On the stroke of lunch, it was 109 – 5 in 32 overs, as Samm caught and bowled Tom Cosford for his third wicket. But then it became the turn of James Woodford to tighten the screw on the Downs batsmen. It was soon 114 – 6 as a catch to short leg saw the sixth wicket in 35 overs. James and Samm continued unchanged to see more wickets for James and pressure on the visitors. James took the seventh at 157, then at 160 he had Harry Wren caught for 31. Downs then were dismissed for 163, as James took the last two
wickets.

So, all out for 163 in 53 overs. Fine spin bowling by James Woodford with 6 – 26 in 14 overs and 3 – 48 for Samm Daniel in 19 overs completed a fine bowling performance.

Finches were now given 67 overs of batting. But with just 10 on the board in 5 overs Finches were two down. Greg Smith was caught behind then Tommie Predgen also fell caught behind. The early problems continued as with 18 on the board, four wickets were down in only 8 overs. Ben Moffat was caught in the covers, then seamer Ollie Armstrong took his third wicket, bowling Chris Britz. Finches badly needed to steady the innings
after the poor start, and this duly arrived as Josh Pistorius and James Isbell steadied matters over the next 12 overs. But at 57 and with 21 overs gone both were dismissed. James fell lbw and Josh was caught at mid-on. So, with 46 overs remaining, Finches still needed 107 runs. This was the start of a partnership between Mike O’Donoghue and Jed Crerar. They batted superbly with fine strokes as the score mounted. By the 34th over
the score was 126 – 6 and the tea interval. No more concerns, as the superb 109 unbroken partnership was Finches game to win by four wickets at 166 – 6. Mike with 52 not out and Jed 44 not out saw the victory.

Seven matches completed and by winning four of these Finches top the HCPL table by 5 points.

In the TVCL the Seconds visited Reading Seconds in Division 3A. Reading batted first and were all out for 194. Emmanuel Bawa with 4 – 34 and Dilan Patel 3 – 43 led the bowlers. Finches eased home at 198 – 4 with Ben Salter 49 not out and Emmanuel Bawa 47.

On the Leas the Thirds hosted Cove Seconds in 4A. Cove were dismissed for 220 with Ollie ArmstrongWood taking 3 – 38 and Matt Arnold 3 – 48. At 222 – 6 Finches were the winners by four wickets. A fine 85 not out by Christian Taylor led the way with support by skipper Gareth Fearon 39 and Louis Crerar 36 not
out.

In 7A the Fourths were the visitors to Wokingham Fifths. Finches totalled 208 with Yash Mahadik 49 and Mike Smith 41. Wokingham were dismissed for a modest 62, so a 146 runs welcome win. Bowlers Yash Mahadik with 4 – 16 and Henry Crowhurst 3 – 10 paved the way.

The Fifths were away to Binfield Fifths in 10C. Batting first Finches were all out for 113 with Rob Cooper 44. Hosts Binfield were all out for 109, so a narrow 4 run win. Dave Marles with 4 – 17 led the bowlers to this third win in a row.

For the first time in eight years the club won all five league matches so a very good day for Finchampstead.