Gerrards Cross lost their first game of the season to High Wycombe by 120 runs.

Wycombe rattled up 236-8 off their allotted 40 overs with Matt Eyles top scoring with 68. Jonny Hughes and Alan Duncan took two wickets each for the Cross.

The Cross struggled in the damp conditions and never came close to reaching the target despite a late rally from Stefan Read.

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Gerrards Cross secured their first win of the season on Saturday in a one sided contest at Bessborough.

The Cross found batting difficult in this 35 over-per-side match with boundaries hard to come by. Their final total of 106-6 was built around a fine half century from David Cranfield-Thompson.

The Cross bowlers made easy work of the Bessborough batsmen. Richard Thomas took 4-15 and with two wickets each for Haroon Mohammad, Alex Hales and Luke Shepherd, Bessborough were bowled out for just 56.

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Gerrards Cross came within one wicket of winning their first league game of the season against NPL Teddington on Saturday.

The Cross’ total of 237-6 was built around half-centuries from Mark Shepherd and skipper Alan Duncan. South African Kyle Hodnett (41) and David Cranfield-Thompson (31) also made significant contributions.

Despite a hundred from NPL batsman Ben Crockford, NPL never seriously threatened the Cross total as no other batsman passed 20. The ninth wicket fell with 4 overs to go and despite some hostile bowling, the batsmen held on for a draw. Jonny Hughes was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-52.

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A blistering century from skipper Alan Duncan was not enough to save Gerrards Cross from crashing out of the Cockspur Cup at Eastcote.

The Cross posted an imposing total of 252-6 from 45 overs. Duncan’s 124 came in 128 minutes off 102 balls. David Cranfield-Thompson (30) and Haroon Mohammad (32*) gave Duncan valuable support as 98 runs were score off the last 10 overs.

Rain during the tea interval meant that Eastcote were chasing a revised target off 225 in 40 overs. Two wickets each for Duncan and Stefan Read pegged Eastcote back. Needing 117 off 15 overs, the Cross were in control.

But Coleman (97*), with support from Lester (33) and Rascheed (35), climbed into the Cross bowlers and guided Eastcote to victory with two balls to spare.

Gerrards Cross fell agonisingly five runs short of victory in a thrilling run chase against Thame in the HCPCL Division 2 West.

Thame lost two early wickets, but Adam Kroll, Rob Brooks and Andy Wynd all hit half centuries as Thame took control. Stefan Read and Jonny Hughes claimed two wickets a piece, which slowed the scoring rate and Thame finished on 242-6.

The Cross also lost two early wickets. But Luke Shepherd (40) and Alan Duncan (90) put on a third wicket stand of 124. Unfortunately, both were dismissed in quick succession, but David Cranfield-Thompson hit quick-fire 34 to keep the Cross in the hunt.

However, his dismissal together with some accurate Thame bowling made run scoring difficult. The Cross were unable to score12 runs needed off the last over and the game ended in a draw.

An inept batting performance from Gerrards Cross saw, what should have been a routine victory slip from their grasp as they could only manage a draw at Bicester & North Oxford.

Bicester were asked to bat and struggled against the accurate bowling of Jon Coles, who bowled a marathon spell of 22 overs, conceded only 54 runs and was unlucky not to take a wicket or two.

Alan Duncan (3-95) and Haroon Mohammad (4-60) took the wickets. Alex Jewell top scored for Bicester with 69 as they finished on 216-8.

The Cross openers started too slowly and left the middle order far too much work to do later on. With eight runs an over needed and two key batsmen unavailable, the task was beyond them. The Cross finished on a meagre 129-5.

Gerrards Cross 2XI won the toss and put Wokingham 2XI in to bat. They made steady progress to 204-6, with opener Dave Cox -- who was dropped more than once -- top-scoring with 88 not out. Spinner Richard Graham was the pick of the home bowlers with 3-44.

In reply Cross lost opener Neal Collins cheaply, but then teenage batting prodigy Alex Hales (97) and veteran Sonny Grover (56) put on 158 for the 2nd wicket. Richard Graham and Alex Hales' father Gary, the vice-captain, saw the Cross home to a sound 7-wicket win. It places us equal 4th in the league table.

Half centuries from Mark Morgan and Will Butterworth and some excellent bowling narrowly failed to snatch Gerrards Cross’ first win of the season against Aston Rowant.

The Cross were reduced to 56-5 with Chris Davis taking 4-40. However, Mark Morgan (71) and Will Butterworth (61*) restored some respectability in stand of 128, as the Cross reached 192-6.

Aston Rowant also made a poor start to their innings as they crashed to 10-4, with Kyle Hodnett (3-16) and Jon Coles (2-13) wreaking havoc.

Jonny Hughes then joined the party and at 33-5 Aston Rowant were in disarray. But Paul Plumridge (58*) and Leigh Lewis (23) shored up the defences. Alan Duncan (2-8) claimed two late wickets, but Aston Rowant held on for the draw, finishing on 125-8.

Gerrards Cross were totally outplayed by Burnham as they suffered their first defeat of the season by seven wickets.

After losing three early wickets, the Cross recovered well through Jonny Hughes (93*) and Luke Shepherd (48) in a stand of 118. More wickets fell late on as the Cross reached 207-9.

Burnham lost an early wicket, before Khan took control. He blasted 123 off just 108 balls. Four dropped catches did not help the Cross’ cause as Burnham knocked off the runs in just 40 overs.

Gerrards Cross failed to win yet again on Saturday against North Maidenhead, despite a sparkling century from skipper Alan Duncan.

This was the Cross’ fifth draw of season and leaves them floundering near the foot of the table in Division Two of the Home Counties Premier League.

Duncan scored 123* in the Cross total of 228-6 and with no other batsman scoring more than 20, the Cross never got close to victory.

Earlier in the day, some sloppy fielding, including four dropped catches, allowed North Maidenhead to post a challenging total of 271-8 which was built around a blistering 69 off just 49 balls from Paras Mhambrey. Andy Morley (42), David Terrington (36) and Keith Muller (42) also made valuable contributions. Jonathan Newell took 5-97 for the Cross.

An excellent spell of spin bowling from Jon Newell guided Gerrards Cross to their first win of the season against Farnham Royal on Home Counties League.

After the Cross lost two wickets in the first three overs, it seemed they would once again struggle to set a defendable total. But Alan Duncan (72) and Mark Morgan (32) put on 103 for the third wicket as the Cross reached 119-2 at lunch.

They were both dismissed soon after the break, but Newell (32) and Will Butterworth (34) continued the good work and after a late flurry of wickets, the Cross finished on 236-9.

Jon Coles (3-87) claimed two early wickets for the Cross, before Newell was introduced into the attack. He claimed 6-32 in 12.3 overs as Farnham Royal were skittled out for just 162.

Farnham Royal’s total would have been much less has it not been for a blistering 56 off 42 balls from Krishmar Santokie which included four sixes in over.

This victory has restored some much needed confidence as the Cross play host to league leaders Tring Park next week.

Gerrards Cross 2XI beat Reading 2XI by 8 wickets on Saturday at Dukes Wood.

The Cross won the toss and put Reading in to bat on a lively track. Haroon Mohammad was the pick of the bowlers with 3-56, as Reading recovered from 58-5 to post 190-7 in their 52 overs.

The Cross reply was dominated by an aggressive 123 not out from 16 year-old Alex Hales, including four sixes and 15 fours. They reached Reading's score for just two wickets, with eight overs to spare. The win sends the side up into fifth place in the Thames Valley League Division 2B, almost halfway through the season.

Next week Cross 2XI are away to Tring Park 2XI, who trail them by just one point.

Another pitiful batting display by Gerrards Cross resulted in a 33 run defeat at the hands of Tring Park on Saturday.

The week’s weather had left the pitch in a damp condition and the Cross bowlers exploited this with a perfect line and length as Tring Park reached lunch after 40 overs with just 83 runs on the board.

Tom Brooks was out for 48 just after lunch, but Ed Packard stepped on the gas and top-scored with 62 as Tring Park reach 168-7.

Jon Coles, in his 25th season for the Cross, took 4-70 in a marathon spell of 30 overs - that’s half of the overs bowled!!!

The Cross lost three wickets in the first six overs and were soon in more trouble at 69-6 as the batsmen gave their wickets away far too easily.

Luke Shepherd (21) and Ranjiv Atkar (29) offered some resistance, which gave the Cross hope. But when Atkar was the ninth wicket to fall with 40 runs still needed, the game was up and the Cross were all out in the next over for 135.

This result leaves the Cross near the foot of the table with just one victory under their belts. They must turn things around in the second half of the season otherwise a return to the Thames Valley League is inevitable.

Gerrards Cross produced their best performance of season by far on Saturday as they ruthlessly demolished NPL Teddington by the massive margin of 116 runs.

NPL Teddington opted to field first after winning the toss, in the hope that the overcast conditions would help the bowlers.

The Cross made their usual poor start by losing a wicket in the first three overs. Some wayward Teddington bowling gifted the Cross a handful of boundaries, but the Cross still found ways of getting out as they reached 52-3 after eight overs.

Three more quick wickets left the Cross reeling at 78-6 with Jason De La Pena (3-91) and Martin Hegg (3-70) doing the damage.

Mark Shepherd and David Cranfield-Thompson then turned the game on its head. They smashed an undefeated 195 off just 29 overs setting a new club record for the seventh wicket. The previous best seventh wicket partnership was 122 by Richard Graham and Ian Collins against Basingstoke in 1993.

Shepherd finished undefeated on 111 from just 99 balls which included 15 fours and 2 sixes. Cranfield-Thompson hit 9 fours in his 72 off 90 balls.

Their brutal assault on the Teddington bowlers allowed the Cross to declare after just 45 overs which a massive 273 on the board.

Teddington made a promising start to their innings, reaching 52-1 after 18 overs with Ben Crockford (25) and Chris Churchman (26) in control.

However, they then lost five wickets for two runs. Churchman was the first to go – brilliantly caught by the diving Jon Coles at mid-off. Crockford was bowled by Jon Newell (3-45) in the next over and Luc Walker (2-28) claimed two wickets with his first two balls as Teddington were left in disarray at 54-6 with 41 overs still to be bowled.

Stuart Garvie (37) and Luke Kelly (34) offered some resistance, putting on 65 for the seventh wicket. When Kelly was run out by half the length of the pitch by Ranjiv Atkar and Alan Duncan (4-32) claimed the last wicket, the Cross had wrapped up their second win of the season.

This victory lifts the Cross up to sixth place and gives them renewed hope as they travel to third placed Thame Town next week.

Solid half-centuries from Mark Morgan and Jon Newell and a blistering 49 from David Cranfield-Thompson set-up victory for Gerrards Cross against Thame in the Home Counties Division Two on Saturday.

Thame made a slow, but solid start, with Jimmy Cook (25) and Manoj Parmar (39) laying the foundations for a large total with an opening stand of 73. Adam Kroll (54) pushed things along, but and excellent spell of spin bowling from Jon Newell (3-80) kept Thame in check.

After a quick-fire 26 from Luke Merry, Thame reached 245-6 off their allotted 60 overs.

Once again, Gerrards Cross lost and early wicket which was quickly followed by two more as they slipped to 31-3.

Mark Morgan (87*) and Jon Newell (54) shored up the defences. The Cross reached 68-3 at tea, still needing another 178 runs to win with a minimum of 25 overs remaining.

Morgan and Newell upped the tempo immediately after tea. But when Newell was run out going for a quick single and another wicket fell shortly after, the Cross still needed 98 runs to win off a minimum of eight overs.

Enter David Cranfield-Thompson, who blasted and undefeated 49 off just 30 balls. Morgan and Cranfield-Thompson blasted 101 off just 11 overs as the Cross won with minutes to spare.

The Cross play host to local rivals Beaconsfield next week, as they look to continue their winning form.

Gerrards Cross cruised into quarter-finals of the Bucks Cup on Sunday with five wicket win over Marlow.

Mark Wildman (2-34) claimed two early wickets for the Cross, but Marlow recovered well to reach 100-2.

Marlow then lost the last eight wickets for 42 runs. Luke Shepherd ripped through the middle order taking 4-17 in nine overs. Jonny Hughes then blew away the tail taking four wickets for one run in 16 balls to finish with figures of 4-5 off 7.4 overs. Marlow were all out 146.

In the Cross’ reply, Alex Hales smashed 80 off just 73 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. He was well supported by Alan Duncan (46* off 48 balls), as the Cross cruised home with 17 overs to spare.

A maiden Home Counties League century from sixteen year old Alex Hales secured Gerrards Cross’ third consecutive league victory by 97 runs against local rivals Beaconsfield.

Hales hit an unbeaten 121 off 150 balls, including 7 sixes, and shared partnerships of 66 with Luke Walker (19) and 169 with skipper Alan Duncan (79).

Mark Shepherd smashed 36 off 18 balls as the Cross declared after 56 overs on 283-3.

Beaconsfield lost two wickets before a run was scored and were in further trouble at 99-7as Stefan Read, after a lengthy injury lay-off, took 4-53.

Greg Mann hit 62 in an eighth wicket stand of 58 before Mark Morgan wrapped things up by taking 3-18.

The Cross leap frog Beaconsfield in the table, moving up to fifth place – 6 points behind Thame Town.

Gerrards Cross set two new club records against Bicester & North Oxford on Saturday. The first record to go was the margin of victory – the Cross won by a massive 248 runs. This beat the previous best winning margin 173 runs against Wokingham in 2003. The second record to go was the lowest team total against the Cross – Bicester were bowled out for just 35, beating the previous lowest team total of 48 by Tring Park in 1984.

Chasing 284 for victory was a big ask for Bicester and they made the worst possible start, losing both openers before a run was scored. Oxfordshire county captain, Ian Hawtin, was the next to go, caught in the slips off a vicious Stefan Read bouncer. And when Alex Jewell limped off after being hit by the ball, Bicester were effectively 1-4.

A 55 minute delay for rain reduced the innings to 41 overs, still enough time for the Cross to claim the remaining wickets.

John Watkins offered some dogged resistance as the middle order continued to crumble under the express pace of Read who finished with figures of 6-17 off 9.1 overs. Bicester were now 13-6.

Jewell returned to the middle in an attempt to stop the rout, but soon limped off again as the pain became too much to bear. Kyle Hodnett (2-12) had Bicester skipper Graham Savin caught behind first ball and when Jonny Hughes (2-0) took two wickets in his first over, Bicester were 35-9.

Jewell returned to the crease once again to try and save the day. However, steady rain led to another 55 minute delay and there was some doubt as to whether the game would continue. After a massive clear-up operation, play restarted but there was now only four overs left to bowl with the Cross needing one wicket for victory.

Read took the last wicket fifteen balls after the re-start to give the Cross an unbelievable win.

Earlier in the day, Alex Hales continued his excellent form with the bat, hitting 61 off 68 balls. Alan Duncan top scored with an unbeaten 125 off 102 balls and Mark Morgan finished on 41 not out as Gerrards Cross declared on 283-2 after 58 overs.

This win moves Gerrards Cross up to second place with run away leaders Tring Park unlikely to be caught.

Gerrards Cross made it six wins out of seven on Saturday with a five wicket victory against lowly Aston Rowant.

Stefan Read (4-71) continued his excellent form with the ball - he has taken 14 wickets in the last three games - as the Cross kept Aston Rowant on a tight leash.

Chris Watling (80*) and Tim Bant (48) put on 93 for the fourth wicket, but Aston Rowant were unable to score quick runs towards the end of the innings as Read and Alan Duncan (2-59) bowled an excellent line and length. They finished on 206-7.

Duncan was the star, once again with the bat, as he hit 81 off 86 balls and Jonny Hughes made well constructed 50* as the Aston Rowant bowling lacked the depth needed to trouble the Cross the batsmen. The Cross won with 5 overs and 5 wickets to spare.

Gerrards Cross clinched a place in the Bucks Cup semi-finals on Sunday with a 62 run win over Amersham.

This 45 overs a side match will be most remembered for the number of runs scored – over 650 in total. The Cross scored 357-6 and Amersham replied with 295-6.

Opting to bat first, the Cross lost two early wickets before the carnage started. David Cranfield-Thompson (96 off 68 balls) and Luke Shepherd (76 off 74 balls) put on 180 for third wicket in just 23 overs.

Luc Walker (25 off 29 balls) and Jonny Hughes (86* off 57 balls) put on 106 for the fifth wicket in 12 overs and Hughes and Gary Hales (43 off 21 balls) smashed 63 off the last five overs.

With such as huge score on the board, the Cross had some fun in the field as everyone, except the wicket-keeper, had a bowl.

Amersham took advantage of this with Chris Owen (69), Ollie Haddock (75) and Duncan Ward (57*) all scoring runs.

Luc Walker was the pick off the bowlers taking 3-34. He also took a spectacular catch off the bowling of Ranjiv Atkar.

The Cross will either play Chesham or High Wycombe in the semi-finals.

Gerrards Cross’ winning streak came to an end on Saturday in dramatic fashion - a 133 run defeat at the hands of North Maidenhead. This was the Cross’ heaviest ever defeat batting second, beating the previous record defeat off 126 runs against Eastcote in 1982.

Opting to bat first, North Maidenhead made a promising start reaching 115-1. Jon Newell then ripped through the middle order taking 4 wickets for 2 runs in 23 balls as North Maidenhead collapsed to 123-5.

Paul Malpass (86) stood firm and built useful partnerships with Leigh Atkinson (23) and Graeme Copas (28) as North Maidenhead recovered to reach to 232 all out. Jon Newell finished with figures of 6-87 off 23 overs.

Gerrards Cross started badly, losing a wicket in the first over, and never recovered. Atkinson took 6-29 and Mark Dozell 4-40 as the Cross were skittled out for 99 in just 31 overs.

A sparkling unbeaten 92 from Mark Shepherd guided Gerrards Cross to a nine wicket win over Chesham and a place in the Bucks Cup final.

Chesham started well with reaching 54 without loss after 15 overs. Jon Newell and Alan Duncan bowled in tandem for 18 overs and conceded just 48 runs. Although Robbie Maier hit 68, Chesham could muster 188-4 off 45 overs.

That score was never going to be enough, as Mark Shepherd (92*) and Luke Shepherd (45) put on 104 for the first wicket. Alan Duncan hit a 34 ball 35 as the Cross won with 13 overs to spare.

Gerrards Cross produced another mediocre performance, their second in two weeks, which led to an 83 run defeat to Farnham Royal.

The Cross reduced Farnham Royal to 102-7 and seemed to have the match under control with Alan Duncan taking 4-32 and Jonny Hughes 3-57.

However, Salman Choudhary (51*), Naveed Zaigham (32) and Asim Nasim (40) wrestled back the initiative with a blistering array of shots. They shared stands of 52 and 71 as Farnham Royal were all out for a respectable 229.

The Cross batting was much same as the previous week. Wickets were falling at regular intervals and the batsmen were unable to build any meaningful partnerships

Krishmar Santokie blew away the Cross batting taking 8-41 in 16.5 overs. Jonny Hughes (42), Ranjiv Atkar (27) and Mark Morgan (25) were the only batsmen to reach double figures as the Cross were all out 146.

Gerrards Cross finished the league season on disappointing note – a five wicket defeat at the hands of Division Two champions Tring Park.

The Cross posted a very respectable 246-7 with Alex Hales (72), Mark Morgan (71*) and David Cranfield-Thompson (52) scoring the bulk of the runs.

The Cross bowling lacked the necessary discipline to trouble the Tring Park batsmen. Matt Bowyer (45) and James Steptoe (51) put on 98 for the first wicket in 19 overs.

Adam Pusey (67) continued the good work and Chris Read blasted 25 off 13 balls as Tring Park wrapped victory with five wickets in hand.

After losing the last three league games, the Cross finished in seventh place.

However, the Cross will hope to finish the season on a high next Saturday. They take on local rivals Beaconsfield in the Bucks Cup Final. The match will be played at Gerrards Cross C.C. and starts at 12pm.