For the second week running Banbury ended two wickets short of claiming maximum points and had to settle for a draw against Oxford at Rover Cowley.
Lloyd Sabin was caught on the midwicket fence five short of a 3rd HCPL century as he drove Banbury to a sizeable total of 290 allowing a declaration two overs shy of the maximum allotment of 66. The 18 year old, who confirmed his place at Oxford Brookes Uni this week, was well supported by Craig Haupt (51) before Jonny Cater hit a quickfire 55 off 45 balls.
Oxford, who were desperate to win as they battle against relegation, got their reply off to a quick start with a mixture good shots and good fortune as balls flew to the boundary off both the middle and the edge of their bats, Jamie Perkin made a quickfire half century before becoming Luke Ryan’s first victim on the stroke of tea.
On a slow flat wicket, Luke Ryan (4-94) and Jimmy Phillips (3-72) were always likely to do the lion’s share of the bowling and after tea they brought Banbury back in control of the game. As with Henley the week before the fall of the 7th wicket marked the end of an attempt at victory, though in Oxford’s credit Canning and Evans had brought them close enough for them to start believing a win was possible. When both fell however the game petered out and neither side got what they were looking for as Oxford closed on 255-8