Jamie Coles helped Banbury dominate top of the table rivals Abingdon in a winning draw on Saturday.
Having lost the top and being inserted on what looked a green and soft wicket, Banbury got off to the worst possible start, when Andrew Sabin tried to take a quick single to the bowler and was run out for 0 off the 3rd ball of the day.
Coles joined Ed Phillips, and the pair battled hard against the seaming ball and just as they appeared to be getting on top with a partnership of 49, Phillips lofted a drive straight to mid on, and was caught for 25 off 36 balls.
Steve Beck joined Coles, and the pair kept up the imputus that had been gained, with both hitting boundaries regularly. The 50 partnership was bought up in just 59 deliveries.
Coles reached a well deserved 50 first off 88 balls, which included 8 4’s. A couple of over later, Beck passed 50 off 58 balls.
Beck fell shortly after attempting a hook, but unfortunatly top edged it and was caught by the keeper running back to fine leg for 60. The pair had put on 112. 161-3 off 36 overs.
Luke Radford making a long awaited return was next in, and he produced the most destructive innings of the day. After a slow start, he hit the ball to all parts (mainly mid-wicket) as runs flowed at a great pace.
Jamie Coles was continuing to bat well, as rotating the stike to allow Radford to dominate the bowling. Cole’s was out to a tired looking shot after batting 50 overs on a hot day for a magnificent 93 off 143 balls. He and Radford put on 109.
With 101 runs coming off the last 10 overs, Banbury declared with the score on 288 – 4 off 52 overs. Radford finished on 82no off 58 balls, with his 50 off 41 balls.
After a slow start J Boon started to hit some boundaries, but was harshly adjudged LBW for 28 of Blanchard.
The next ball, Blanchard bowled Bryan with a beauty of a yorker.
Bowles then joined Ford, who had not looked confident, and the pair survived the next few overs. With Josh Megson having to stop bowling with a tight quad, Banburys limited bowling line up was stretched, and runs began to flow.
Charlie Hill making his league debut bowled well with little luck, swining the ball both ways. Until he finally removed Ford caught behind for 22 off 57 balls.
On what was a slow and difficult surface to take wickets, it was hard for Banbury to force the victory, and with Abingdon not really in the hunt for victory the aim of securing maximum draw points was the main target.
Hill was rewarded for good spell by bowling Dingle for 25, and Coles removed Cook for 25 to complete a good allround day.
Blanchard (17-0-60-3) and Hill (13-1-55-1) were the pick of the bowlers.
Abingdon finished on 214 – 6.
Banbury 17 – Abingdon 3 (5-2for slow overs)