As they have done for all bar one league game this season, Banbury took to the field first, after they won the toss.
great batting conditions in Saturday’s game at White Post Road, Oxford put on a strong display, with all the top five batsmen getting more than 20 runs.
Captain Jason Harrison led the way with 89, while Rajiv Sharma hit 55 and Graham Charlesworth 40 as Oxford were 242-4 at one point.
Banbury’s bowlers were able to peg the visitors’ lower-order batsmen back, thanks largely to veteran seamer Paul Taylor, who continued his impressive form by grabbing five wickets.
However, Oxford’s score of 266-8 put them in a very strong position.
In reply, Chris Smith did his best to get Banbury the win they needed and hit a magnificent 92. However, he was not backed up. Fellow opener Benji Hector, the Banbury captain, managed just one and Craig Haupt five.
Luke Ryan, batting at seven, hit a useful 44 as he and Smith shared a stand of 80. Taylor and Damien Sherazi hit 22 apiece.
Oxford were just one wicket short of winning the game as Banbury clung on to close the match at 218-9 and draw.
SOURCE: Banbury Guardian