Seamer Ed Smith took three wickets in an over to set up Banbury’s four-wicket victory in a low-scoring Division 1 match at Radlett on Saturday.

Smith snatched five wickets as Radlett, regarded as one of the strongest sides in the league, were routed for 92.

After a few anxious moments, Banbury were guided to victory by their new Zealand import Ant Bullick.

Radlett were soon regretting their decision to bat first after heavy overnight rain.

After Bullick had taken an early wicket, Radlett omved to 38-1 before Smith changed the game in his sixth over.

He trapped Kabir Toor and skipper Shane Berger leg before before having Tom Jenkins caught behind In his next over, Smith had opener Leo Sandino-Taylor caught for 29 and Radlett were in dire straits at 45-5.

Smith completed his haul to make it 57-6.

Despite limited resistance late on, Radlett could not recover, with Bullick, Jamil Faruq and Luke Ryan mopping up the tail.

However, victory was not plain sailing for Banbury.

Ian Tew went early, and despite brief resistance from Andrew Sabin and Craig Haupt, the innings was tottering at 67-6, when Jamil Faruq fell for a duck.

But Bullick hung around, and with skipper Ian Hawtin holding up an end, eventually saw Banbury home in the 39th over with an unbeaten 36 which contained four fours.

The victory put Banbury into second place behind early pacesetters Henley.