Banbury 2nd XI were held to a wining draw for the second week running away to Oxford 2XI. Winning the toss Banbury batted on what is a renounce for a good batting wicket at the Rover Cowley ground. Banbury were without Andrew Sabin who replaced Ian Tew in the first team and Marc Rorich played after aggravating his ankle during the week. Ed Phillips and Ian Tew put on 28 for the first wicket, a couple of quick wickets fell and Banbury were 38 for 3. Ollie Murrey and Marc Rorich consolidated with a 4th wicket partnership of 42, Marc was struggling with his injury and was very slow to get started.
Ollie was out Leg before wicket for 24. Chris Board and Marc Rorich produced a 70 run partnership for the 6th wicket, Board contributed 22 but Rorich had his eye in and was looking good. Chris batted well and had to change to his usual game as Rorich was struggling to keep up with the speedy Board due to his injury. Marc was striking the ball well and he was eventually out in the penultimate over for 94. Banbury scored 217 for 7 from their allotted 50 overs.
In reply Oxford got off to a slow start, due some tight bowling from Ollie Murrey and Andy Harris who was making his Banbury debut. Harris might have had a wicket with his first ball but for a dropped catch in the gully. Ollie struck in his 3rdth over to dismiss Smith for 2. Ball and Thomas added 55 for the second wicket, but the introduction of Azhar Shah who broke the partnership by having Thomas LBW for 27. Murrey struck in the over before drink to leave Oxford 91 for 3 at the half way stage. Rana came to the crease and played positively for a quickfire16. Rana was out when the Oxford total was on 101 and they lost a further 3 wicket for the loss of 2 runs with Azhar Shah taking two wickets in as many balls. Oxford 2XI were suddenly 103 for 6 and it then they decided they were never going scored 218 for victory. Phil Evans and Sean Davis then had a 7th wicket stand of 43 but they played very cautiously, with Banbury attacking with lots of close catchers runs were a little easier to achieve. Banbury tried varying the pace but it was hard to get the batsmen out on a good batting wicket. Banbury managed to break the partnership with the wicket of Davis, Megson taking a sharp leg side stumping off Ashley Blanchard. Evans played out the remaining 7 balls to ensure the draw. Banbury gained 18 points and Oxford 11 for the games.
Score Card:
Banbury Innings
I Tew Ct Jones B: Rana 14
E Phillips B: Khan 21
A Jarvis Ct: Fox B: Khan 2
O Murrey LBW B: Evans 24
M Rorich C & B: Thomas 94
S Armstrong Ct: FoxB: Finch 3
C Board Ct: Fox B: Thomas 22
N Megson Not 5
A Blanchard Not 8 Extras: 23
Total: 217 for 7
Bowling
O M R W
Rana 6 1 18 1
Khan 8 0 31 2
Fox 7 2 19 0
Evans 13 1 49 1
Finch 12 2 56 1
Thomas 4 0 31 2
Oxford Innings
A Smith B: Murrey 2
C Thomas LBW B: Shah 27
C Ball Ct: Blanch B: Murrey 35
M Rana Ct: Harris B: Murrey 16
R Finch C & B Shah 2
C Jones LBW B: Murrey 0
R Buchanan LBW B: Shah 0
P Evans Not 20
S Davis St: Megson B: Blanchard 21
A Khan Not 0
Extras: 23 Total: 147 for 8
O M R W
O Murrey 20 5 53 4
A Harris 9 3 26 0
A Shar 9 1 36 3
C Board 7 1 14 0
Blanchard 5 1 12 1