Bucks ended their National Counties Trophy campaign by falling to a heavy nine-wicket defeat against NC Wales at Slough on Sunday.
It was Bucks's third defeat in four matches and means they finish bottom of Group 4 in the 50-overs competition.
Bucks chose to bat first and started briskly, scoring 15 from the first two overs; however, at that point Ewan Cox sustained a severe blow to the hand, causing him to retire hurt with what was feared might be a broken finger.  Fortunately, although still in some pain, he was able to return to the crease at the fall of the fourth wicket but, by then, some injudicious batting had reduced Bucks to 84/4 in the 15th over.  Ewan showed courage and determination, being the eighth man out, for 39 from 67 balls, but few others showed the same application and Bucks were all out for 161 in 41.3 overs. Wales bowler Sam Pearce took 4-22 from his ten overs.
After losing an early wicket, Wales were guided home by Cameron Hemp (80*) and Steffan Roberts (71*), who added an unbroken 145 for the second wicket as the visitors reached 167-1 in 43.3 overs. Leg-spinner Stephen Croft was the best Bucks bowler with 0-26 from his ten overs.  Scorecard
Bucks will be hoping for better luck when they open their National Counties Championship Division 1 East campaign with a three-day match against Norfolk at Tring Park, starting on Sunday July 9th.