The Thames Valley Division One title race took a potentially decisive twist last weekend when Finch beat High Wycombe 2nds by eight wickets and Amersham lost at Chesham.

Those results saw Finch move 13 points clear at the top of the table with just one game remaining at Amersham on Saturday (12.30pm).

Anything other than a defeat would see Finch win the championship and promotion to the Home Counties League.

But Ellison told the News his side will be aiming to finish the season with a flourish.

“We go into every game to win it and this won’t be any different,” he said.

“If the need arises to play for a draw we will take that into consideration, but our priority is to win the game and we will set up with the intention to do that.

“It’s a winner takes all match but I would rather be in our position with a 13-point cushion than theirs.” It was not all plain sailing for Finch as Wycombe got off to a strong start, putting on 70 for the first wicket.

Sam Taylor (4-54) got the breakthrough when he bowled Joe Dulieu, and he followed up with the wickets of Sam and Will Buckfield.

Runs suddenly were hard to come by for the visitors and Taylor secured his fourth wicket when he trapped Tom Gray leg before wicket.

Ollie Armstrong-Wood also got in on the act to leave Wycomve 136-5 while spinners JJ Dewes and Rob O’Donnell kept down the scoring.

Dewes also took a couple of wickets before Dan Marles finished the innings off at 197 with three wickets in 14 balls.

Openers Russell Lane (65) and O’Donnell (63) relished the conditions, both playing fine strokes and scoring at a good pace.

Each brought up their half century before they were dismissed, leaving Ellison and Marles to steer Finches home with 14 overs remaining.

“It was a very comprehensive display with the bat and ball,” said Ellison. “We were under pressure as they got off to a flying start but we held our game together, got a few wickets and then never looked back.

“Sam Taylor was fantastic and it was good to have JJ Dewes back in the side too, he bowled a tidy spell.

“Their score was always going to be 50 or 60 short and so it proved with Russell Lane and Rob O’Donnell both clinical and aggressive.” Finch are set to welcome Usman Arif back into the side for their title decider on Saturday.