IC3 Home Counties League: Henley were crowned champions for the first time on Saturday - and they did it in style with a resounding 80-run victory at nearest rivals Slough.

Batting first, Henley, without skipper Mick Hilditch, who has been banned for two matches by the club following a serious sledging incident against Radlett, rattled up a formidable 273-8.

The prolific David Taylor was to the fore again with 60, before former Zimbabwe Test star Brian Murphy chipped in with an unbeaten 62.

Murphy then led the way with the ball, taking 4-92 as Slough were dismissed for 193, Steve Naylor top-scoring with 72.

It was Henley's tenth win of the season, and it puts them 65 points clear of second-placed Slough with two games still left.

The title triumph also continued Taylor's remarkable record in the league, having previously been in championship-winning sides at Banbury and High Wycombe twice.

HENLEY

C Ellison b Uddin...22

B Mordt lbw Uddin...29

A Edwards c Ahmed b Lambert...16

D Taylor c Ward b Sher...60

B Murphy not out...62

A White c Lane b Khan...34

J Barber run out...1

H Sana b Naylor...4

D White run out...21

Extras...24

Total (8 wkts, 66ovs)...273

Fall: 1-55, 2-68, 3-122, 4-156, 5-233, 6-237, 7-245, 8-273.

Bowling: Naylor 8-0-56-1, Amin 4-0-15-0, Uddin 10-1-33-2, Lambert 18-3-55-1, Khan 7-1-26-1, Sher 15-3-52-1, Lane 4-0-22-0.

SLOUGH

R Lane c Murphy b Sana...12

G Khan c Sana b Murphy...15

M Khan c Taylor b Edwards...28

P Aziz c Mordt b Murphy...0

S Naylor c&b Taylor...72

B Sher c Mordt b Murphy...9

A Ahmed c Mordt b Edwards...0

A Ward c Ellison b Murphy...30

T Lambert c Mordt b Sana...8

M Uddin b Taylor...3

N Amin not out...0

Extras...16

Total (all out, 47.1ovs)...193

Fall: 1-19, 2-51, 3-51, 4-73, 5-90, 6-91, 7-154, 8-179, 9-192.

Bowling: Sana 13-2-37-2, Murphy 21-1-92-4, White 2-0-10-0, Edwards 9-0-42-2, Taylor 2.1-0-7-2.

Slough 5pts, Henley 25