I don't get it - surely just a simple tweaking of the rules would work?
12.30 or 1pm start times.
20-30 mins for tea
limited overs at 40 - 45 overs a side, or declaration game with a make of 95 overs (limit of 50 overs for team batting first).
This is pretty much how we are set up in Surrey Champ and we very rarely have late finishes.
If I've got my maths right, go at 18 overs per hour -
Declaration - 1pm start, 50 overs, finish at approx. - 3.45pm. 25mins for tea, 4.10pm. 45 overs 2nd innings - 6.40pm finish.
Limited Overs: 1pm start - 3.30pm tea - 2nd inngs start - 4.00pm - 6.30pm finish.
I know lost balls, in juries and arguments can affect timings, but I'm sure these aren't far off.
I wonder if people have 2.00pm starts and 40 minutes for tea - that's going to add nearly 80 minutes to the game, so no wonder there's late finishes.