Gerrards Cross’ faltering start to the season continued on Saturday as they slipped to a humbling 126-run home defeat to Oxford.

The Home Counties Premier League Division Two side are rooted to the foot of the table having won just once this season.

The match started well enough for the hosts as the early wickets of Vishane Perera (eight) and Andrew Clough (one) reduced Oxford to 23-2.

A patient 46 from Shabaaz Alam steadied his side though and he received suitable support from the middle order.

Shamilil Mendis top scored for the visitors with 48 as Oxford finished on 209-9 from their 58 overs.

Ross Fyfe (4-45), Richard Knudsen (2-41) and Joseph Bracey (2-58) all struck to give Marlow a chance at claiming victory.

Their response with the bat was anaemic, however, and the wickets of Daniel Hampton for zero and Samuel Westaway for two left them on 4-2 after three overs.

Things quickly deteriorated further as four more Cross batsmen departed cheaply to leave their side on 36-6.

There would be no rally, and Cross limped to 83 before the wicket of Matthew Watson completed a thoroughly forgettable innings.

Samad Fallah had been a constant irritation throughout the Cross innings and finished with impressive figures of 7-24 from his 17 overs.

Andrew Clough (2-21) and George Munsey (1-20) completed the job for Oxford on a day which they dominated.

Cross’ next match sees them play fellow strugglers Shipton-on-Wychwood in a bottom of the table clash on Saturday.