Bucks, who started the final day with a fair chance of victory, ended up suffering a crushing 246-run defeat by Suffolk in their Unicorns Counties Championship Eastern Division match at High Wycombe on Tuesday.

The hosts, who conceded a 46-run first innings lead, had their opponents struggling at 57-5 in their second innings.

But Suffolk recovered to 314-8 declared before bowling out

Bucks

in their second innings for just 114 with more than two hours to spare.

On the first day, Suffolk, who had been put in to bat recovered from 183-7 to 337 thanks to half-centuries from lower-order batsmen James Poulson (51) and Michael Coomber (59).

The

Bucks

reply centred around a fourth-wicket stand of 126 between AJ Woodland (87), who for the second successive match fell just short of his maiden Championship century, and Michael Payne (78).

Some late fireworks from skipper Tom Hampton, who hit four sixes in his 40, and debutant Conner Haddow (27) saw 60 runs come from eight overs in their total of 291, Poulson taking 6-60.

Excellent seam bowling from Jonathan Burden (3-57) and Cameron Parsons (2-34) had Suffolk in trouble at 124-6 at the close of the second day - a lead of only 170.

But Suffolk dominated the final day, thanks to a county record unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 136 between Tom Rash (103 not out) and Josh Cantrell (68no).

The visitors declared their second innings at lunch, leaving Bucks to score 361 for victory off a minimum of 64 overs.

They surrendered meekly for just 114, losing their last five wickets for seven runs and thus suffered a heavy defeat.

Bucks will be hoping for better fortune when they hosts Northumberland at Chesham from July 21-23.

The county have been in excellent form this season.