THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION 4A: Hayes 251-0 (20pts) beat Finchampstead III 249-6dec (10pts) by 10 wickets

The bowlers toiled hard for little reward as Finchampstead reached 249 for six and declared three overs early, but they were made to rue that decision by Cooper and Simon Green.

The opening pair utterly dominated the visiting attack with Green hitting two sixes and 20 boundaries on his way to 139 not out, bouncing back to form to double his tally for the season, having taken eight knocks to reach the same total.

Cooper was no less impressive as he struck 15 fours and a six to make an unbeaten 106 and the 251 they scored was only five short of the club's record first-wicket partnership.

Earlier the bowlers made slow progress after Finchampstead won the toss and batted. Rex Kumar and Claudius Wayland were unable to strike early and it was second change bowler Sean Morgan that finally had Alexander caught by Simon Green for 42, with the score on 67.

Only one visiting batsman failed as Finchamp-stead built steadily, losing wickets at 85, 91 and 128, with Mike Green getting two wickets in his first two overs. Baglow and Bellis added 58 for the fifth wicket which fell at 186 when Kumar had the former caught for 41 by Morgan, who then had Bellis pouched by Mike Green for 40 to make it 212 for six.

Another solid partnership reached 37 when Finchampstead declared after the 49th over at 249 for six, Kumar (1-64), Morgan (2-45), Green (2-63) and Tommy King (1-33) getting some reward, but the Hayes openers soon eclipsed that effort.