A scintilating 71 off 33 balls from James Benning ensured High Wycombe thrashed Chesham in the first round of the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday.

The No3 struck nine fours and four sixes as he guided the minor counties club to an eight wicket win in their opening match of the season.

Benning, formerly of professional outfit Surrey, had earlier removed Chesham opener Matt Watson for 15 as the hosts had their opponents on the back foot at 56-3.

Wickets feel at regular intervals throughout the visitors’ innings and they were bowled out for 151 from 42 overs, with Andy Goddard (40) the main contributor.

In reply, Jack McIver trapped Adam Hose (6) lbw to bring Benning to the crease and alongside new captain Nathan Hawkes, who made an unbeaten 32, he steered them to victory after just 15.1 overs.

The Warriors now advance to round two where they face Sunbury CC on May 10.

On Saturday Chesham’s first and second teams met their Amersham counterparts, games which saw them pick up two wins.

The first string’s friendly against Amersham ended in victory courtesy of the Duckworth Lewis method after rain curtailed the visitors’ response after they were set a target of 238 to win.

A century from Andy Goddard (104) and able support from Luke Carver (24) saw Chesham close their 45 overs on 237-8.

A staunch 44 from Bruce Friderichs and 43 not out from Adam Viney led Amersham’s reply but when the rain came down they finished on 159-6 with just seven overs left.

The weather conditions weren’t a problem at The Meadow as the second team romped to a seven wicket win.

Having been set a target of 219 to win, the opening partnership of Peter Clifford (91) and skipper Matt Watson (48) put on over 130 runs before Mark Hughes D’Aeth (32) and Phil John (39) finished the job.

Chesham reached the winning line for the loss of just three wickets with four overs to spare.