GERRARDS Cross returned to winning form in Division One of the Thames Valley League after a comprehensive 92-run victory at High Wycombe 2s on Saturday.

Having been inserted on what looked a seam-friendly wicket, Dan Hampton set an aggressive tone with 58 runs from 41 balls at the top of the order, with the Cross racing to 54-0 after seven overs.

Following the dismissal of both openers, the visitors continued to press on with Chris Marrow and David Clearly at the crease, putting on a superb partnership of 210 runs.

Marrow followed up his unbeaten hundred last week with a brilliant 115 only to be dismissed towards the end of the innings, run out at the non-strikers end.

Cleary also fell in the final few overs for a well-made 88, before Ben Lane bludgeoned 21 not out from just nine balls, taking the Gerrards Cross total to a huge 331-4.

Despite losing captain John Stevens early on, High Wycombe 2s then put on 115 runs for the second wicket with Teddy Casterton (81) and Simon Janes (57) working hard to give the hosts a glimmer of hope.

When James fell, the Cross continued to take wickets with Malky Dhaliwal (2-37) and Hampton (2-47) impressing throughout.

High Wycombe 2s closed on 239-6.

The wins means Gerrards Cross remain in fifth position in the league table ahead of a return to Dukes Lane to host second-placed Boyne Hill this Saturday (1pm).

Beaconsfield maintained their perfect winning start to the new season following their seven-wicket victory at Bagshot to go clear at the top of Division 2b.

On a rain-affected pitch, Beaconsfield dismissed the hosts for 153 runs in 49 overs with seamer Todd Marchant (3-29) and spinner David Heavyside (3-31) doing most of the damage, despite an innings of 63 from Jack Grinstead.

The visitors eased to 157-3 in 38.1 overs thanks to half-centuries from captain Adam Francis (59) and Zia Ashraf (54).

Beaconsfield are at home to one of their main title rivals Henley 2s in a timed game this Saturday.

In Division 2a, Chesham 2s travelled to Windsor and used the conditions to bowl out their hosts for 111 runs with Maxine Blyth taking 5-50.

Chesham reached the target for the loss of eight wickets, with Todd Bamber scoring 45 runs.

The win means Chesham have moved up one place to fifth position in the league table ahead of short trip to Marlow this Saturday.

Chesham 3s hosted Windsor 2s in Division 6a and were bowled out for 62 runs before the visitors reached the target for the loss of four wickets.

In Division 9b, Chesham 3s travelled to NPL 3s and, having been put into bat, scored 138-6 from 40 overs with John Holloway scoring 35 runs.

NPL reached the target for the loss of three wickets with Charlie Haines taking 2-4.

  • BUCKINGHAMSHIRE County Cricket Club secretary Kevin Beaumont has been awarded the BEM in the Queens Birthday honours for his services to Minor Counties cricket.

Beaumont, who lives in Little Chalfont, has held the Bucks role for 21 years having previously been a Minor Counties umpire for more than 30 years.