GERRARDS Cross CC say the weather is responsible for their position near the foot of the Home Counties League more than anything else.

They are just five points off the foot of the table having played three of their four games, but all were heavily influenced by the conditions.

They went from 75 all out on the opening day to 309-8 a week later, and after a cancellation at Henley they were dismissed for under 100 again at Tring Park last week.

Chairman Charles Hunt said: “The toss can have a dramatic affect on the table and I think the weather has played a part for everyone so far this season. Last weekend it was a wet pitch and definitely a toss to win.”

Cross lost it though and after being inserted their worst fears materialised as both openers fell without scoring a run.

Daniel Solway tried to chip out a revival with a stubborn innings of 26 from 58 balls, but no one was able to get away at the other end as Cross collapsed to 91 all out after 47.2 difficult overs.

Tring’s victory seemed academic at that stage, but they didn’t find the conditions easy either with Tom Hampton (3-26) testing their nerves.

However, Bucks captain Michael Payne’s 23 from 79 balls proved the difference as Tring finally got home after 30 overs, with five wickets down.

Hunt said: “If we got another 30 runs I think it would have been a very good game. Tring got their 90 after 30 overs, so you can see it was tricky batting.”

It might be something similar again tomorrow. Showers are predicted for much of the day until heavy rain in the late afternoon, meaning their match with Wycombe is unlikely to be a full 50-over feature.

Captain Steve Rimmer said: “It’s not got going yet. We want to get into good weather and good wickets. Last week it was very much a case of if you won the toss you won the game, and we also got stiffed by the Duckworth Lewis system against Banbury.

“We’ve not had the rub of the green so far, but we’ve got to find a way of being more competitive when the conditions aren’t as we’d like.

“But if we play as I know we can I’m sure we’ll push Wycombe hard. They’ll have to play very well to beat us.”