AMERSHAM CC will be wondering just what they have to do to win a game after the past fortnight.

Two weekends ago they had victory in the bag and were about to load the coach when Reading’s Jack Beaven snatched it away from them by taking seven wickets for 38 runs after tea.

Captain Luke Jackson admitted that result turned up the pressure on last Saturday’s trip to second-placed Horspath, when again they must have thought they’d done enough.

Despite not quite firing with the bat, making 140 from 44.5 overs, they were firmly in the driving seat going in the final over.

Alexander Lines (4-44) and Stephano Joubert (3-63) had taken the sting out of the Horspath reply and with six balls of the game left they were down to their last pair and still needed 12 runs.

Joubert, with 30 wickets already this season and an economy rate of 3.69 stepped up to bowl it.

But Horspath number ten Jamil Faruq took matters into his own hands and two mighty blows over the ropes stole it for his team.

Earlier, Amersham had struggled to get to grips with Horspath bowler Patrick Foster (7-68).

But Robert Viney (27) and Christopher Owen (26) scored valuable runs with Bruce Friderichs (15), Christopher Cann (16) and Paul Langley (16) also contributing to their score and if 140 looked light, it was made a whole lot better by early wickets from Lines and Stuart Rogers, reducing Horspath to 6-2.

But the visitors regrouped and Khan’s big-hitting climax completed the recovery.

Amersham are still fourth in the table ahead of their trip to Finchampstead on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Amersham host their cricket week from July 21.

Gerrards Cross, Aston Rowant and Sonning visit Shardeloes on July 21, 22 and 25, with Lashings coming to Bucks on July 23.

Amersham will then play their annual game against MCC the following day.