The penultimate game of the season saw the indoor side grab victory off the final ball vs Sandford!
After winning the toss and batting first, Richard Simpson & Ben Cross once again got the side off to a solid start, as we reached 52-0 at the halfway stage. Both soon retired with Richard on 30 and Ben on 25. In came Kieran Churchill for his first game of the season and Liam Manley who continued the scoring, taking us to the 100 mark in the final over. The only wicket to fall was Kieran Churchill with 3 balls left of the innings, for 15, Liam Manley then struck back-to-back sixes to retire on 26, leaving Andy Prior to grab a 3 off the final ball to leave the side 116-1.
In reply, Sandford got off to a flyer with 36 coming off the first 2 overs. Liam Manley then grabbed the first wicket at 40 with a good catch from Andy Prior. Tight bowling from Liam and Ben Cross through the middle overs kept the game on a knife edge and two run-outs in the penultimate over left Sandford needing 18 from the last. An early wicket in the over and more tight bowling kept Banbury ahead and with a 3 off the penultimate ball, Sandford needed 6 off the final ball to bring scores level. True to form, 6 was struck to the back wall to end the innings on 116-4.
Both sides thought the spoils had been shared until it was established that due to fewer wickets lost, Banbury had got over the line for back-to-back victories!
The victory leaves the side 2nd in the table, needing a set of unlikely results on the final day to claw back leaders Cropredy.
The final week sees the Vets take on Shipston at 19:35, with Banbury taking on Ruscote in the last game at 21:15.