RICHARD Kaufman says he is a ‘proud captain’ after Banbury CC clinched second spot in the Home Counties Premier League and then lifted the Oxfordshire Cup at the weekend.
On Saturday, Banbury snatched a dramatic last-over win at Slough to leap-frog their hosts and finish runners up behind Henley – the third time in the league’s five years Banbury have been in the top two.
The next day, Banbury completed an ‘awesome weekend’, according to Kaufman, by winning the Oxfordshire Cup after winning two games at White Post Road.
They firstly beat Challow by eight wickets in the semi final and then crushed Shipton by nine wickets in the final.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from the players,” said Kaufman. “It was an awesome weekend and I’m proud of what we have achieved in the second half of the season.”
After winning just two games in their opening ten games, Banbury finished the season unbeaten in their last eight, winning six of those.
Kaufman said: “At the start, I wasn’t sure of my bowling line up and we didn’t look like bowling sides out, often conceding over 300 runs.
“But recently the bowlers know what they’re doing and the batsman have been in good form all season. Everyone knows their role in the side.”
Club professional Paul Taylor has been in sparkling form recently and his 4-68 at Slough, in the hot sun, took his wicket tally to 34 for the year at 14 runs apiece.
Simon Launder (2-60) and Calum Taylor (2-22), who was drafted into the side in the morning, also contributed as Slough posted 253-9.
In reply, Banbury made a good start but after losing two quick wickets, Kaufman and Craig Haupt (37) steadied the ship with a third-wicket partnership of 68.
Kaufman was eventually out for 81 with 59 still required to win from nine overs.
The lower order carried on the attack with some solid running between the wicket, and Ollie Murrey (29no) and Simon Launder (17no) put on a match-winning 36-run partnership.