The Banbury Men's indoor side started the 2023 season with victory against newly promoted Charlbury!
After being asked to field first, the innings couldn't have started any better, as Liam Manley removed the opener with the first ball, caught behind by Jack Lambden. However, extras soon took hold of the innings as Charlbury accelerated the scoring. Regular wickets (A Prior 2-32, B Cross 1-29, L Manley 1-31 & 2 Run-Outs), good fielding including a debut run out from Freddie Crook, and continued fast scoring, saw Charlbury eventually bowled out for 92 in just 7.2 overs. Some early season rust on show, with 36 extras contributing to the total!
In the chase, Richard Simpson and Ben Cross got the side off to a comfortable start, falling for 18 & 11 respectively. However, when Jack Lambden fell for 10, with the score at 58-3 off 7 some calm heads and the odd boundary were required to see the side home. Man of the Match, Andy Prior (25*) did just that, ably supported by Liam Manley (18*), as the target was reached from the penultimate ball!
A positive start to the season, with room to improve as games progress (and as players start to ache a bit less!)
Week 2 sees the battle the crowd has been waiting for, with Banbury vs The Vets at 9:15!