Led by captain Kieran Coyne, Banbury won the toss and elected to field before bowling out Oxford Downs for 163. The wickets were distributed widely, with George Tait (3-22), Charlie Hill (2-23), Dexter Ainley (1-26), Ben Miller (1-8), Samuel Hicks (1-15) and Hayden Rossouw (1-35) all getting in on the act. It looked like a favourable chase for Banbury, and they got off to a quick start, scoring 28 runs from the first three overs.
But the progress slowed and Oxford Downs bowled and fielded well to restrict Banbury to 148-8 by close of play. It was a disappointing afternoon for skipper Coyne, too, as he scored just six runs before being caught by Oxford Downs’ Tristan Rossouw, the brother of Banbury’s Hayden. Meanwhile, in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division 1, Banbury finished third behind the second-placed Oxford Downs and winners High Wycombe.
In an interview with the Banbury Guardian before the season started, Coyne was hopeful his youthful side would be in contention to win the league. Then, in a mid-season catch-up, Coyne revealed he was growing in confidence that the title was on the way. However, that’s not how it turned out, with Banbury finishing on 300 points from their 18 matches, 36 behind winners High Wycombe.
That’s despite the fact that Banbury achieved a commanding 179-run win over Finchampstead on the final weekend, as well as a six-wicket victory over Harefield a fortnight earlier. Lloyd Sabin concluded the season as both the men’s first XI’s leading run scorer and leading fielder, with 864 runs and 19 dismissals respectively. It was a great season for the men’s second XI, too, as Ed Phillips’ 516 runs helped them to third place in the Cherwell League Division 1.
Elsewhere, the men’s third XI came fourth in the Cherwell League Division 3A and the fourth XI went on to be crowned champions of Division 6B. All involved with the White Post Road club, led by chairman Martin Phillips, will be eager to kick on when the action resumes in 2027.
Source: www.banburyguardian.co.uk
