The script could hardly have been bettered for the conclusion of this, the twenty fifth season of the HCPCL. The top four sides to play each other: Henley at home to Finches and Aston Rowant at home to High Wycombe. Finches on 266 points were 13 ahead of Henley and Aston Rowant, both with 253 and High Wycombe on 250. With batting and bowling points available to losers and 20 points for the win, Finches needed 8 points from the match to take the title.

Two days of heavy rain and cloudy overcast morning conditions led to a delayed start and 48 overs each. On winning the toss, Finches skipper Mike O’Donoghue asked Henley to bat first. It was in the seventh over and 32 on the board when Liam Bulteel trapped Archie Carter lbw. Then at 66 and the 19th over, two more wickets fell. Spinner Josh Pistorius bowled Mike Roberts, then Jonny Connell was caught behind off left arm spinner Samm Daniel.When Charlie Dunnett was caught behind off Josh, then Matt Darymple was caught at long on, it was 76 - 4 approaching the half way stage. Immediately after the drinks break, James Woodford had Ross Richardson caught at long off with the score 85 – 5. Then 38 valuable runs were gathered by the hosts. At 123, another fell. Skipper Tom Nugent was run out by a direct throw and John Denning was lbw to Lewis Sharp. So, with 8 overs remaining, it was 129 – 9. At the close, the score was 149 – 9 with Finches gaining 5 bowling points. There were two wickets apiece for Lewis, Josh and James.

Given 150 to win, it was a dreadful start for Finches. Tom Nugent had James Isbell caught behind off the first ball, then with the fourth ball trapped Josh Pistorius lbw. With 10 on the board Tommie Predgen was bowled by John Denning. With 11 on the board Finches were five down. Ben Salter was bowled by John Denning then Mike O’Donoghue was also bowled by Tom Nugent for his third wicket. A recovery of 35 runs saw 46 on the board before Jed Crerar was stumped off Connor Lamsdale for 26. Stuart Parsons fell lbw to Declan Farland, so 62 – 7. By the 25th over, Lewis Sharp was bowled by Adam Searle and Samm Daniel had fallen, caught off Lamsdale; so 94 – 9.Fine batting by James Woodford saw the 100 up, then when Liam Bulteel was caught to give Lamsdale his third wicket, Finches were all out for 109 to lose the match by 40 runs. With High Wycombe winning at Aston Rowant, Henley were champions. The 6 points for the match to Finches meant they finished on 272 points. Henley won by just one point at 273. A fine finish to the season with the narrowest second place for Finches.

For the TVCL the rain affected conditions meant the Seconds and Thirds matches at Finchampstead were called off. This means the Seconds in 3A under skipper Stuart Parsons are unbeaten winners, thus promoted next season to 2B. The Thirds in 4A finished in mid table under captain Gareth Fearon.

For The fourths, it was a vital match at Boyne Hill Thirds. Batting first Finches posted 299 – 7. Max Hall with 95 and Kwame Appiah 79 led the batters. Boyne Hill were dismissed for 164 so a 135 run victory. Bowlers Yash Mahadik 4 – 28, Henry Crowhurst 3 – 25 and Kailan Patel 3 – 38 took all the wickets. This fifth consecutive win keeps the side in 7A.

The Fifths hosted Eversley Fifths in 10C. Finches posted 305 – 4 with a maiden century by 14 years old Freddy Bishop with 122. Dave Marles 62 and Rui Wright 64 assisted the high score. Eversley were all out for 87 so a 218 run success. For the bowlers it was 3 – 14 for Ishaan Moitra and 4 – 17 for Dave Marles in his final match.