Gerrards Cross were left “frustrated” on Saturday after they hit the 300 mark for the second time this season but came out on the losing side against Finchampstead.

The Home Counties Division Two side posted 300-6 from their 50 overs as they looked to secure a third victory of the season.

But a superb 128 not out from the hosts’ captain anchored Finchampstead’s run chase and they reached their target with five wickets and seven balls to spare.

“It was a close one,” said Cross captain Matt Watson.

“We posted 300, which definitely looked like a strong total but we all knew at halfway that it wasn’t a winning score, it was competitive on what was probably the flattest wicket we’ll come across this year.

“Their skipper batted very well and won the game for them. He batted very well, we had a couple of guys that got some runs but it was a frustrating one to lose. It went pretty close down to the last couple of overs but our fielding let us down.

“The wicket was very flat. We have a few different options in the bowling attack but even then it just seemed very one paced.

“The guy (Finchampstead’s captain) batted very well and you just had to take your hat off to him.”

County batsman Dan Hampton struck his first century of the season, and put on 116 for the fourth wicket with Watson, who made 64, as the visitors compiled an ominous looking total.

Watson said: “He (Hampton) batted well. He’s been quiet for us for the last few weeks but you had a feeling that something like this was going to happen.

“He batted very well and then exploded towards the end of the innings, smashing the ball to all parts.”

However, Hampton’s 115 not out was overshadowed by an unbeaten 128 from Finch skipper Dan Marles, which took the game out of Cross’s reach.

Watson felt there was little to choose between the two sides and admitted that defeat was tough to take in a match which he felt was there to be won.

He said: “We eyed this as a game that both teams wanted to win and then kick on from in the longer form of the game, which is coming up now with nine fixtures in a row.

“I don’t think they were any better than us it was a pretty close one, but you tend to think that they will be there or thereabouts near the top [of the league] along with ourselves hopefully.”

While the result was tough to take, Watson was pleased with how the match went for himself personally, with his innings amounting to his second half century of the season.

The Cross skipper blasted 91 against Cove in the opening match of the season and he was pleased to once again be amongst the runs on Saturday, with his eyes now firmly set on beating Datchet on home turf tomorrow.

“I’ve been out with a couple of injuries; I split the webbing in my hand and had a back injury, so I’ve probably not contributed as I would have liked but it was good to get some runs,” he said.

“It’s definitely harder to win in the longer format of the game but we’re definitely going to be targeting our home games in terms of trying to win.

“Datchet have started the season pretty well, so I think it will be a tough test but I’m hoping that we’ll have a decent side out and we can push for the win again.”