Having lost the toss (10 out of 11 this season) Banbury were relieved to hear the Abingdon skipper elect to bat, even though it was hot, humid day.
The two opening bowlers were on top from the start and the initial breakthrough was made by Olly Murrey who had N Rivett LBW for 8. In his next over, Murrey struck again bowling Boon with a delightful off cutting slower ball.
Brooks joined the party, and then removed the dangerous pair of King and Roderrick. This left Abingdon struggling on 41 – 4 after 17 overs.
The pace men started to struggle in the heat after 11 overs each but both ended with good figures. Brooks 11-3-31-2 and Murrey 11-2-34-2.
The introduction of spin had an imediate effect. Paul Hill who was dropped from the 1st team after bowling 11-5-15-1 saw his first ball float towards the batsman above head high, and he dully smashed it for 4 with an overhead swat! The Hilly we all know was back!He did only then conceed 12 in his next 8.5 overs.
Jo White bowled in tandom with Hilly, and the pair combined perfectly, and wickets tumbled regularly, and after 34 overs the score was 87 – 7.
Some late order hitting from T Chilvers and J Cook meant Abingdon posted 155 which was probably 25-30 more than they should of got. The two spinners ended with figures of 15.3-4-49-2(Hill) and 15-3-40-4(White)
Banburys reply got off to a bad start when Lloyd Sabin was given out LBW after edging it onto his pad for 4. But Andrew Sabin and Steve Beck settled the innings and a partnership of 60 took the game away from Abingdon. Beck was next out for 31 with the score on 70.
Chris Board found some of his old form and batted well for a good 40, before trying to hit a 6 to win the game.
Andrew Sabin was the anchor to the innings that the other batted around and he finished unbeaten on 68.
Several jugs of Red Stripe were then drank as a quadruple jug ball was called earlier in the day.
Banbury 25 Abingdon 5