Needing only to avoid defeat against Amersham to guarantee they finish top, Finch were restricted to 169-9 batting first - just six runs short of the extra batting point that would have won them the league.

Still, they needed to take just four wickets to take their points tally out of Amersham’s reach, whatever the result.

At 139-3 the title was in sight, but the hosts dug in to take victory and win the league by virtue of having won more games batting first than Finch.

“The best side won on the day, there is no disputing that,” said Ellison. “But everybody was very disappointed and it is so hard to take because we had it in our hands.

“It was just a shame we saved one of our worst performances of the year for the final day of the season.” With both sides finishing on 305 points, Finch were also left to rue the six points they were deducted throughout the season for a slow over rate.

One of them came in the return fixture with Amersham and five in a drawn match with Kew.

Ellison acknowledged the dropped points were pivotal and accepted responsibility for the slow over rates.

“Every point counts and we lost six for slow over rates which obviously had a big impact at the end of the season,” he commented.

“I hold my hand up. It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure the bowlers are playing to the time and they are on top of the situation.” Despite the huge disappointment on the final day, Ellison admitted the season as a whole has still been a success.

The 1sts, 3rds, 4ths and 5ths all finished in the top four in their divisions and the 1sts have recorded seven more wins than they did last year.

“We have built from the bottom up and it is coming to fruition,” said the skipper. “It has been a successful year for the club and there is lots to look forward to. When you look at where we are now, with 11 wins and three losses, compared to last year when we had only won four games, we have made big steps.

“You also look at the young players we have brought through, the likes of Max Stevenson, Max Uttley and Billy Rogers, who are all Under 15 players.

“We now have to make sure we take everything from this year, build on it and carry it through for next season.” As much as the climax of the final weekend proved pivotal, so too did the start when free-scoring Rob O’Donnell was dismissed first ball of the match.

Ellison admitted the wicket gave Amersham a huge boost and was a ‘massive shift in momentum’ heading into the day.

Dan Marles fell shortly afterwards with the score on 30, but Russell Lane and Ellison saw the score steadily to 88 before Lane was caught and bowled for a fine 54.

Three more quick wickets followed to leave Finch in a precarious position at 100-6.

Gary Loveday and Sam Taylor batted soundly until Taylor was bowled at 141, leaving Finch still short of a decent score.

A few late strokes from Loveday pushed Finch to 169-9 but they were agonisingly just six runs short of an extra batting point.

Amersham started brightly in reply with Bruce Friderichs and Rob Viney putting on 122 for the first wicket.

Spinner JJ Dewes finally got the breakthrough when he dismissed Viney for 54 and then had Chris Cann caught at slip.

The third wicket followed soon after to Taylor, leaving the game in the balance again.

But a fine 77 not out from Friderichs proved to be crucial as he saw his side home and to the title.