A superb individual performance from Amersham’s Maduka Liyanapathiranage proved to be the difference as Gerrards Cross suffered a demoralizing eight-wicket defeat on Saturday.

A rain delayed start to the tie led to the Home Counties League Match Division One match being reduced to 79 overs before Cross headed out to bat first.

Cross have endured a tough opening to their campaign, and were hoping the change to timed format matches would offer them a change of fortunes as they took on their fellow strugglers.

An excellent 70 from Harry Nicholls, who was eventually run out, reinforced the belief that the match could indeed provide a turning point.

Billy Hunt and Dan Hampton, with scores of 20 and 33 respectively, were the only other batsmen to really get going though as the tireless Liyanapathiranage produced a spell of restrictive bowling.

The Amersham man bowled an uninterrupted 21 overs and barely offered a loose delivery throughout to finish with 4-47.

His figures were the best of any of the Amersham bowlers and helped reduce Cross to 162-8 from their 42 overs.

The continuing threat of rain meant brevity would be at the forefront of the home side’s response and Brice Friderichs led the way with a quick-fire 30 in the opening exchanges.

His departure could have signaled the start of an unlikely Cross fight-back as it left Amersham on 90-2, but it was never on the cards with an inspired Liyanapathiranage at the crease.

He made the most of some wayward Cross bowling to crash an unbeaten 89 at more than a run a ball.

Cross attempted to stem the fatal flow of runs with a constant stream of bowling changes, but it was all in vein as Liyanapathiranage and Andy Viney (31 not out) finished the job for Amersham.

The result means Cross could find themselves at the foot of the table should they suffer defeat against bottom club Aston Rowant on Saturday.