SAM Musk hailed the "Ashes spirit" within his Beaconsfield side as they won the Bucks Cup Final on Sunday.

Beaconsfield beat Gerrards Cross by 18 runs with both teams sniffing victory during a fluctuating contest at Dukes Wood.

Will Carter's 40 off just 30 balls helped Beaconsfield post 199 from their 45 overs and some excellent bowling reduced Gerrards Cross to 181 all out.

Skipper Musk said: "I was very proud. Looking at the Ashes and the way England won, it wasn't down to one man. They each performed with the bat and the ball when it was needed.

"It was the same with the guys here and has been throughout the season. Everybody has gone on and done well at different times."

Earlier in the day, Mike Stafford and Peter Lynch had laid the platform for a useful Beaconsfield total before a mid-order collapse.

For Gerrards Cross, Alan Duncan and Luc Walker bowled tidily while Luke Shepherd picked up four wickets.

Carter came to the crease with his side in big trouble at 130-8 but together with number 11, Denzil Owen, the pair added a vital 47 for the final wicket off the last 4.3 overs.

Gerrards Cross made a flying start in reply but John Mahood grabbed the crucial wicket of Alex Hales in a tight opening spell while Duncan was unlucky to be run out by a deflection at the bowler's end.

Carter, who was voted man of the match, made his second important contribution, conceding only 17 runs from nine overs as Cross fell further behind the clock.

Mark Morgan held the middle of the innings together but wickets fell steadily at the other end and they slipped to 118-7 with eight overs left.

A late flurry by John Newell never looked likely to succeed and it was Beaconsfield who lifted the trophy.

It has been a very successful season for Becky with their first team also finishing third in Division One West of the Home Counties Premier League while the second and third teams won promotion from their respective divisions in the Thames Valley.

Their junior section, with 200 youngsters, also continues to flourish.

Musk added: "It's been a brilliant effort from everyone at the club from the sponsors and the supporters to the players. It's a great time to be involved with Beaconsfield and it's looking promising for the future."