Having lost the toss Banbury were put into bat on a good pitch. Henley had the perfect start when in only the second over Dave Taylor struck comprehensively bowling Mark Rorich with his very first ball.
This brought Craig Haupt to the crease and in a 2nd wicket partnership with Chris Smith showed just how good a pitch this was. They added 149 between them before Haupt (76) was bowled by Brian Murphy. Chris Smith was the next to go with the score on 181 when he was also bowled by the former Zimbabwean Test player. Paul Taylor followed shortly after caught at backward square attempting a sweep again against Murphy. But although the leg spinner picked up those three scalps he did struggle with consistency and this was highlighted by the fact that he registered 14 no balls to his name.
Banbury skipper, Richard Kaufman then assumed control for the home side. In a 15 over period Kaufman and John Wolstenholme added 76 runs with Wolstenholme contributing only 23 of them. Kaufman completed a superb, undefeated century in only 113 balls and included 12 fours. It was a great innings and ensured that Banbury were going to post an impressive total.
Banbury’s total passed the 300 mark in the 61st over just missing out on a bonus point but with good assistance from Danny Harding (17) and Ollie Murray (22 not out). Banbury posted a formidable total of 342 for 6 off their allotted 66 overs.
Henley’s reply, as with Banbury’s got off to a poor start with France being bowled in Taylor’s opening over. But Chris Ellison and Bjorn Mordt forged an impressive 153run partnership in only 28 overs. Banbury set very attacking fields for the period before tea and runs flowed consistently. It was the introduction of Ollie Murrey that broke the deadlock having Mordt (76) caught behind by Danny Harding in the 28th over. Murphy and Ellison then continued to bat positively until Murphy top-edged an attempted slog-sweep and was caught by Craig Haupt off Jimmy Phillips.
This brought the dangerous David Taylor to the crease with the game set potentially for an exciting finish but fortunately for Banbury his stay was short-lived and the Phillips and Harding double act struck again when the prolific Taylor edged behind.
At this point the chase subsided with Henley only looking to chase bonus points. The Henley total reached 291 for the loss of seven wickets with Jimmy Phillips picking up 4 wickets and Qadri from Reading scoring a very positive 62 not out. In all 632 runs were scored in a superb days cricket on a pitch which was a credit to Banbury groundsman, George Sabin.
The game ended with Banbury picking up 14 points and Henley with 9 points.