Amersham entertained Gerrards Cross in the 1st round of the Cockspur National Cup on Sunday. In a low scoring game characterised by good bowling the home side were victorious by 16 runs. Amersham batted first, and the tone for the day was set early as wickets fell regularly. Gary Hales and Luke Shepherd both bowled a tidy opening spell, taking two wickets each. Meanwhile, for Amersham, Luke Jackson continued were he had left off the previous day and was the most successful batsman on either side. His 37 was an innings of patience and judicious stroke play in which he demonstrated his undoubted class. Evergreen allrounder Duncan Ward took the attack to the Gerrards Cross bowlers during his 25, but the effective spin bowling of Matt Watson and Charles Cemlyn-Jones prevented any late innings acceleration. 152 was not regarded as a convincing total by the home side, and discussions at tea time focussed on disciplined bowling and fielding. Ward (4-28) clearly paid attention to his captain's pep talk, striking in his first over to dismiss the dangerous Alex Hales and removing Neal Collins shortly after. David Cranfield-Thompson and Ed Waugh steadied the Gerrards Cross ship before Cranfield-Thompson was well caught in the covers by Jackson off Ward. Ward immediately picked up his 4th wicket by bowling Hall-Drinkwater first ball. Mention should also be made of the efforts of James Harmer and Brad Holt, two 17 year old seamers who did not look at all out of place in a game of this nature. Amersham turned to spin in the form of David Atkinson, who returned a typically miserly spell of 4-17 off nine overs. The regular fall of wickets prevented Matt Watson dominating the game for Gerrards Cross. Watson batted very sensibly for his 24, but ran out of partners when Chris Owen claimed the match winning wicket at the end of the 40th over.