High Wycombe came through a scare against Home Counties Premier League strugglers Great & Little Tew to claim a narrow 21-run victory on Saturday.

The hosts won the toss and elected to put the reigning champions into bat as they looked for a victory to ease their relegation fears.

Liam Manley (2-27) struck early on to vindicate their decision as he dismissed both of the Wycombe openers to leave them on 45-2.

While the dismissals were unwelcome, Wycombe should have had the base to build a respectable score, but largely failed to make a telling impact on the scoreboard.

In fact, six of their remaining number all departed before making it into double figures and ducks for George Russell and Alan Duncan undermined the middle of their innings.

Captain Nathan Hawkes made a steady 27 and his side would have been staring defeat in the face, but for the intervention of Alistair Haynes.

The Wycombe number five led their rear-guard action and his 41 runs gave his side a modicum of control as they climbed beyond 100.

His knock came from 69 deliveries and showed patience could be a virtue on a challenging surface.

Andy Harris was Tew’s main man with the ball and claimed 4-15 as a dominant bowling display left Wycombe all out for 135.

Wycombe’s miserly approach to run scoring gave Saturday’s hosts a genuine chance at victory, but they got off to a shaky start in response.

Xavier Owen, who with 3-2 was superb throughout the Tew innings, set the tone as he dismissed Jordan Garrett and Dain Moreton for zero.

He completed his haul with the scalp of Joe White to leave Tew reeling on 13-3 and needing to rediscover the composure they had shown in the field.

Harrison Smith was the most likely to help them do so and the opening batsmen’s 37 gave them brief hope of mounting a successful chase.

The hosts were struggling from the moment he fell to the bowling of Jonathan Burden (1-20) and the remainder of their order lacked the grit shown by Smith.

Andy Harris’ quick-fire 29 provided the final piece of fight in an ailing cause as Hawkes’ sharp fielding had him run out with Tew on 114.

Cameron Parsons took 3-20 to be Wycombe’s second most productive bowler on a day where the wicket taking duties were shared.

Uzair Amjaid (1-22) and Conner Haddow (1-29) also chipped in to help their side to an excellent win which seemed in some doubt after their effort with the bat.

Wycombe currently sit third in the table and play Henley on Saturday knowing a win will take them above their rivals.