Banbury are early pacesetters after back-to-back wins

Banbury captain Lloyd Sabin on his way to 70 runs against Finchampstead at White Post Road

Lloyd Sabin’s side are the early pacesetters in division following Saturday’s success at White Post Road.

Sabin elected to bat but Banbury soon lost openers Hugo Darby and Craig Haupt 19 as they were reduced to 25-2. Kurtis Patterson and Sabin steadied the ship and took Banbury along to 173-3 before the Australian departed, having scored 84 runs of 95 balls, which included eight fours and a six.

Sabin made 70 runs, with five fours and a two sixes, before he was the first of three run-outs in one over. Richard West 23 and Karl Penhale 19 made useful knocks as they helped Banbury to 252-8 at the close.

In reply, openers Andrew Dewes and Matthew Jones failed to trouble the scorers as the visitors slumped to 31-2. Dan Marles 21 and Will Rogers 14 pulled it around to reach 57-3 before Dan Lincoln 47 and Andrew Rushton 41 put together Finchampstead’s best stand as they took the score along to 118-5.

Good knocks from Max Carter 25, Max Stevenson 20 and Craig Hodges 18 kept Finchampstead in contention until the final wicket fell in the 49th over. Richard West 3-62, Ollie Wright 2-46 and Luke Ryan 2-36 got amongst the wickets for Banbury.