The hosts elected to bat first but suffered an early blow when Max Stevenson was dismissed cheaply to leave Finch 23-1.

However Matt Jones and Harry Stephens appeared in commanding form until the former fell for a well made 32.

Stephens continued to shine but when Dan Marles and Will Rogers both fell in quick succession, Finch were struggling on 83-4.

Captain Simon Bell was caught behind with the score on 101, but Stephens moved past his half century during a 30 run stand with Tipene Friday.

Disaster struck for Finch when three wickets fell with the score on 131, but useful lower order runs from Craig Hodges (22*) helped them post a competitive 174 all out.

Friday struck an early blow for Finch when opener James Taylor was caught by Jones to leave Cove 5-1.

The Randall brothers - Neil and Nicholas - took the score to 57 but both were then trapped leg before to leave their side wobbling.

Spinner Stephens continued his fine game by removing Luke Voyce, and when Dan Marles grabbed a second wicket by dismissing Najeeb Malik, Cove were in trouble at 79-5.

Trent Keep and Andrew Short put the visitors back in the game during a 42 run stand, but the returning Friday accounted for Short, aided by a magnificent catch by Stephens from a steepling skier.

With 13 overs remaining, the game appeared in the balance but two further wickets from Stephens tilted the balance in Finch’s favour as Cove slipped to 158-8.

The Berkshire star completed a fabulous five-wicket haul by taking a return catch to oust Craig Taylor, and with just one over remaining, last man Imran Afreidi was run out to leave Cove 166 all out and Finch jubilant.

In Thames Valley Division 2a, Finchampstead 2nds slumped to a 32 run defeat at North Maidenhead.

Max Uttley claimed figures of 4-51, while Matt Harper and Adam Dewes both snared a brace as the hosts were dismissed for 188.

However Finch struggled in reply, and despite the best efforts of Dewes (64), they subsided to 156 all out.

Title-chasing Finchampstead 3rds recovered from a poor start to record an excellent 67 run win against Slough 3rds.

Finch slumped to 50-5 after electing to bat but were bailed out by fine knocks from Josh Lincoln (44), a quickfire 37 from Liam Matthews and Sam Taylor (32) as they scrabbled their way to 184.

Matthews (4-10) and Taylor (3-44) then completed outstanding all round displays as they bowled Slough out for just 117.

James Kirkwood (100) hit a maiden century and Jim Dewes (77) also starred as Finchampstead 4ths had the better of a draw with Royal Ascot 3rds.

Finch racked up an imposing 241-7 but were unable to bowl Ascot out, with the hosts closing on 182-9. Mark Wiggett impressed with 78 while Steve West was the pick of the bowlers with 4-28.

Finchampstead 5ths match at Cove Academy was abandoned due to an unfit ground.