Banbury Second XII open league account with a win. On an average overcast windy day, Banbury hosted Milton Keynes Park at White Post Road. On a damp drying wicket, and after winning the toss, the Banbury skipper asked the visiting team to bat. This decision looked to be a very good one with the score on 2, Simon Launder bowled Simpson after he left a straight one. S Cooper joined J Sprittles at the crease for Milton Keynes Park who then put on a dogged 112 run partnership. Murray claimed the first of his three wickets by bowling Cooper after he’d scored a very valuable 48 runs for the visitors.
With S Launder bowling at one end and getting the ball to do all sorts, Murray was claiming the wickets the other end and eventually returned figures of 14 overs; 1 maiden; 3 for 56. Launder bowled his usual lengthy spells and returned figures of 16 overs; 1 for 34.
Banbury missed three catches in the field and with some very poor fielding let the visitors off the hook, who went on to score 198 after 50 overs; 45 runs more than they should have.
Banbury went into bat with A Sabin and A Pearson and both found it difficult to score runs in the early part of their innings. Pearson was caught eventually after scoring 6 runs and L Marshall joined Sabin at the crease. Sabin was playing a very dogged defensive innings and hitting the bad balls for four. Marshall, however, found it difficult to score runs and after some wafty shots, was run out after only scoring 9, calling for a quick single with Sabin. E Phillips joined Sabin at the crease and assisted Sabin, but only managed to score 3 after being judged LBW quite harshly, as Ed would like to put it.
J White stepped up to the crease with Sabin and allowed Sabin to play some attacking shots whilst he played a supporting role, White was eventually LBW to Clark for 8. C Broad made 3 in his brief innings and with the score at 145, the Banbury skipper joined Sabin at the crease and put on a steady partnership with Sabin during which he reached his well deserved 100 – he eventually carried on to be 113 not out. Banbury reached the 199 required without losing any further wickets with W Hazell 21 not out. Banbury won by 5 wickets.
Captain’s comments “ A very good performance from our batsmen, especially an excellent innings by A Sabin. More work is needed with the fielding and our catching ability but a win is a win and 30 points was just reward for excellent bowling from Launder and Murray and excellent batting from Sabin”.
Banbury visit Great Tew in their next league game on 26 May.