Amersham were made to settle for a draw in their Home Counties Division Two clash against Aston Rowant on Saturday – despite dominating for the majority of the match.

Luke Jackson’s team lost the toss and were put into bat with the captain himself first to depart after making seven, leaving the hosts on 13-1.

Bruce Friderichs struck six boundaries en route to 39 before his partnership of 53 with Andrew Viney (57) came to an end – the opener one of six victims for Aston spinner Alexander Barras.

Viney’s patient innings took him 134 balls to compile and took in stands of 39 with Christopher Cann (24) and 61 with Maduka Liyanapathiranage, who contributed a swift 34.

When the number three eventually departed to leave the score on 179-5 it was left to Daniel Colquhoun (19) and Jack Rodgers (28) to see the home side post 235-8 from 58 overs.

Aston Rowant sat second bottom of the table coming into the game and they were soon in disarray in their reply on Saturday as the fell to 9-4 with two wickets going the way of Stuart Rogers (2-33) and Liyanapathiranage (4-25) picking up the other two, one via a run out.

The ex-Sri Lankan under-23 international then removed Andrew Tolson with just 21 runs on the board before the visitors began to show some resilience.

Amersham’s overseas player claimed two more scalps to leave Aston in trouble on 93-7 before the rain offered them a reprieve, meaning their innings came to a close after 35 overs.

The result, which saw Amersham pick up 13 points, leaves Jackson’s side seventh in the table ahead of a trip to second place Finchampstead on Saturday.

Gerrards Cross sit two places above their local rivals after they suffered an emphatic defeat at the hands of league leaders Great and Little Tew.

Matt Watson elected to bat after winning the toss but watched on as Sam Westaway was bowled with a run yet to be put on the board.

The pressure eventually told on fellow opener Alistair Birkby, who, after facing 19 balls, eventually departed for one to leave his side reeling at 11-2.

The middle order – James Crosthwaite (17), Watson (10), Dan Hampton (14) and Sam Bracey (10) – all got starts but failed to go on as they fell to 69-6.

A knock of 36, featuring eight fours, from Jamie Hoddle was the standout performance as Cross were bowled out for 134 in the 51st over.

Having been among the runs, Hoddle (3-55) was soon among the wickets as he removed opener Joe White for two and then Martin Coetzee for 27, to leave the hosts 61-2.

Joseph Bracey (2-39) chipped away at the hosts but they reached their victory target with five wickets to spare, leaving Watson and co with plenty to contemplate ahead of a home fixture against Buckingham Town on Saturday.