Banbury travelled to Sandford on Saturday with the game delayed to a 2pm start due to the persistent rain in the morning. It was the only game in the division, which meant a good result for either side would mean a significant advantage could be gained on the other teams in the league.
Sandford won the toss, and elected to field.
After some tight opening overs, James Risbridger removed Ed Phillips for 3. Jamie Coles (37) and Andrew Sabin (48) then built a good partnership of 72. This saw off the new ball and helped set a platform for the lower order to increase the tempo.
The dismisal of Sabin and introduction of Chris Smith saw the scoring rate increase. Coles was next out with the score on 141-3 in the 37 over.
Smith passed his 50 off 42 balls before finally being stumped off Smith for 57. Nathaniel Gregory followed 3 balls later, also stumped.
The sixth and final wicket to fall was Beck who was caught and bowled by Smith for 14.
Olly Wright and Josh Megson produced some big blows, and Banbury finished on 212 – 6 off 44.
The Sandford reply got off to the worst possible start, as Megson bowled Watts with the first ball of the innings. Paul Tanner was then out caught by Murrey off Megson in the 3rd over.
There was a slight recovery, before Megson claimed his 3rd wicket, bowling A Goffe.
Olly Wright then joined the party, and claimed the next 3 wickets, in a 3 over burst. This left Sandford 66-6 off 20.
A Kill was the only who lasted at the crease for any length of time, and he got to 50 off 70 balls.
The introduction of Ross Freeman was a crowd favorite, and after a few beers in the afternoon, they were making plenty of noise as he was running into bowl. He was rewarded by claiming the wicket of Mzayidume for 5.
When Jamie Coles removes A Kill for 58, Sandford were 108-8 with 8 overs remainig. Simon Smith and Martin Anson held out for 6 overs before Anson was bowled by Olly Wright. This left 8 balls for Banbury to claim the last wicket.
Unfortunately, Smith held out and Sandford finished 123-9.
Banbury 19 Sandford 2