Banbury held their nerve to claim 25 points on Saturday
despite losing both a key toss and a number of overs due to rain at Potters Bar. They were indebted to some big performances from key players.
The damp, green wicket and the threat of rain meant it was a
big toss. The HCPL does not have the same draw rules as the Cherwell, so in a
game that was likely to be shortened meant any side winning the toss would
surely choose to bowl first, both to the take advantage of the early morning
seam friendly conditions and to prevent a scenario where a rain shortened game
meant the side bowling second would only have 30 odd overs to take 10 wickets
for victory. Almost inevitably Jimmy called wrong and Banbury were inserted.
Both of Banbury’s fears were realised early on. The ball
jagged around and even popped on occasion, often beating the flashing blade of
Ian Tew as he aimed at his favourite cover region. Then the rain, which was forecast,
arrived after 5 overs. To make matters worse, Lloyd Sabin had already been run
out by this point.
The extremely heavy showers meant no play was possible until
2.30pm, leaving an overs split of 42 – 34. Banbury’s plan was to score quickly
and enforce a declaration to claw back a few more overs in order to bowl out
Potter’s Bar.
Execution of the plan however was made difficult by some
quality seam bowling in the aforementioned bowler friendly conditions. Tew was
joined by Craig Haupt and the pair had to battle hard and keep their heads to
set up a platform for assault. The key was to remain composed after receiving
an unplayable ball and to punish anything loose, both did it excellently
posting a century partnership. When Tew was dismissed for 55, bowled during a
period where he and Haupt were beginning to up the rate, Banbury had the
perfect man waiting to kick the scoreboard on, enter Nathan Hawkes who hit 5
sixes in a 20-ball-44. Haupt ended with an excellent unbeaten 91 at close to a
run a ball and Banbury were able to declare after 39 overs on 203-2.
Phase one complete, but still only 37 overs to force victory
in a league where wickets don’t come cheap. Potters Bar excellent opening pair
of Keeley and Kettlebrough demonstrated this as PB moved to 70 for no wicket in
decent time. Enter Luke Ryan (5-49), who removed both in two overs, both caught
by Tew at mid-wicket who took three good catches to complete a good day for him
personally. Nathan Hawkes at the other end turned in his best bowling spell of
the year for Banbury as he swung and seamed his way to 3 for 39. PB had slipped
85 for 6 as Ryan and Hawkes claimed 6 wickets for the addition of 14 runs.
As Scott and Breeze rebuilt however, so the overs slipped
away and victory hopes went from real to slim. All credit to PB, they still had
aspirations of winning, so with 6 catchers around the bat, the runs began to
flow. Banbury still had runs to play with and realised that while PB could
still win they would play more shots and therefore would present more chances. As
Scott targeted Phillips in particular Banbury were happy to leave big gaps in
the outfield and tempt attacking strokes. Soon enough wickets began to fall
again, and the steady mix of stumpings, lusty boundaries and catches in the
outfield took the game, with two overs remaining, to PB needing 20 to win, 9
wickets down. Scott was still at the crease on 63 and he targeted what would
have been a fourth 6 off Phillips, he sent the ball sailing into the air, but
Josh Megson settled underneath it and claimed a calm catch under pressure.
Full credit to both sides for trying to win the
game to the last, Banbury were rewarded with 25 points and Potters Bar deserved
more than the 2 they were awarded.