FROM OXFORD MAIL:
Banbury fell to a five-wicket defeat at Henley in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1 on Saturday.
The visitors made a steady start before losing Ian Tew and Craig Haupt in quick succession to leave them 29-2.
Nathan Hawkes steadied the ship when he joined Lloyd Sabin at the crease and Banbury progressed towards a competitive total.
Sabin went on to reach his half-century before being bowled by Gurveer Singh – his 56 coming off 88 balls and included six fours and a six.
Jonny Cater and Richard West then put on 55 for the fifth wicket, before Cater and Luke Ryan shared a 48-run sixth-wicket partnership as Banbury stepped on the gas.
Cater fell for 58 off 69 balls, but it was the late flurries from Ryan, 36 off 18 deliveries, and Ashley Blanchard, 29 not out from 17, that enabled Banbury to reach 242-8 off their 50 overs.
Henley made a superb start to their reply, Michael Roberts and David Barnes putting on 138 for the opening wicket.
Two wickets apiece from West and Jimmy Phillips gace Banbury some hope, but the hosts reached their target with two balls to spare, Barnes hitting 118 and Roberts 70.