OXFORD MAIL: For the second week running Banbury came up against an overseas player in form, with West Indies A batsman Pat Brown making 164 off their attack.
But this time, Banbury’s batsmen performed well and and they held out for a draw against Potters Bar.
After winning the toss again, Banbury struck in the third over, but that turned out to be a rare success!
Brown dominated a second-wicket stand of 269, hitting his 164 from 171 balls with two sixes and 29 fours.
Mike Palmer completed his more sedate century before beoming one of Simon Launder’s three victims, although the Oxfordshire bowler did reach his own unwanted ton!
Facing a huge target of more than 300, Banbury lost a wicket in the first over, and despite a run-a ball half-century from Craig Haupt, four wickets were down for 77 in the 18th over.
Richard Kaufman and Steve Beck added 67 in 17 overs before a mix-up split them two overs after tea.
Calum Taylor then took charge with as hard-hit unbeaten 71 that included 14 boundaries.
The excellent over-rates on both sides gave Banbury an extra eight overs to face, which they survived despite the efforts of former England seamer Mark Ilott.
POTTERS BAR
M Palmer lbw Launder…100
C Coughlan c Harding b Launder…1
B Bean c Murray b P Taylor…164
D Dass b Launder…2
M Ilott c Halet b P Taylor…22
M Taylor not out …12
L Cooper not out…2
Extras…19
Total (5 wkts, 66 ovs)…329
Fall: 1-4, 2-223, 3-234, 4-257, 5-325.
Bowling: Launder 22-2-104-3, P Taylor 17-2-72-2, C Taylor 5-1-22-0, Murrey 3-0-28-0, Hill 6-2-34-0, Becup 2-0-9-0, Kaufman 11-3-48-0.
BANBURY
C Smith c Dass b Ilott…0
P Taylor c Dass b Taylor…9
C Haupt c Ilott b Taylor…50
I Tew c Hackett b Taylor…1
S Beck run out…78
C Taylor run out…71
D Harding lbw Hackett…17
F Hill c Coughlan b Ilott…18
O Murrey not out…4
Extras…23
Total (8 wkts, 62 ovs)…263
Fall: 1-0, 205, 3-68, 4-77, 5-144, 6-156, 7-2-5, 8-240.
Bowling: Ilott 13.3-5-36-2, Cooper 3.3-0-20-0, M Taylor 21-5-82-4, P McGee 7-1-51-0, Coughlan 5-1-18-0, Hackett 12-1-34-1.