SLOUGH got the new Home Counties Premier League season under way with a 136-run defeat away at High Wycombe on Saturday.

Skipper Bobby Sher had targeted a good start to the campaign to build confidence in his team and give them an edge on their rivals.

However, they were well beaten at London Road and took just six points from the opening day of the season.

Batting first, the home side reached 283-8 from their 50 overs.

Skipper Nathan Hawkes led the way with 98 runs, an innings that included 14 boundaries, with George Russell adding 74 from 43 balls. The pair putting on 119 runs for the fifth wicket.

Ali Akbar Raja was the pick of the Slough bowlers with his figures of 3-50, while new overseas player Zohaib Ahmed (2-67) and Steven Green (2-54) took two wickets apiece.

Slough were bowled out for 147 after 38.5 overs in reply with Sher (68) scoring almost half the runs.

Mohammed Avas (23), Fahim Qureshi (21) and Shazad Rana (14*) were the only other batsman to reach double figures.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Fahim Qureshi made 21 runs for Slough in the defeat to High Wycombe.

Jonathan Burdan led the High Wycombe bowling attack with his figures of 4-32, while Cameron Parsons took 3-39.

Slough have their first home match of the season this Saturday with Great & Little Tew the visitors to Upton Court Road.

Burnham began the new season in Division One with a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Horspath.

Batting first at the Memorial Ground, the hosts reached 184-9 from 50 overs with Fahad Raja making 62 from the top of the order.

Jamil Faruk was the pick of the Horspath bowlers with is five-wicket haul (5-29).

In reply, the away team closed on 188-4 after 45.4 overs for the win. Tom Coleman (47) and Tom Cosford (45*) both coming close to a half-century.

Mohammed Faisel Khalid claimed 2-47 in his defence of the total.

Burnham face a tough trip to Henley this Saturday.

In Division Two, Datchet got the new season under way with a 105-run defeat to Thame Town at the Wally Gage Memorial Ground.

Gamindu Kanishka made 121 from 109 balls for the winning side.

Grab a copy of the Observer this Friday for match pictures, a full round up of results and reaction.

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