LUKE Ryan’s five-wicket haul wasn’t quite enough to bring Banbury victory as Henley’s last pair held on for a draw at the Brakspear Ground in Division 1.
The Oxfordshire left-arm spinner took 5-83 off 21 overs as Henley closed on 215-9 in reply to Banbury’s 299-7.
Sixteen-year-old opener Lloyd Sabin led the way for Banbury, hitting 58 with 11 fours after they had won the toss and elected to bat.
Good contributions followed from Shahbaz Ali (36), Ian Tew, whose 52 included nine fours, and Richard West, who hit five fours and two sixes in his 49.
With Ryan blasting five fours and a six in his unbeaten 42 and and Ashley Blanchard smashing three sixes in his 38, Banbury compiled a formidable total.
Ryan and Blanchard (3-51) then made inroads into the Henley batting.
But the visitors were held up by a determined eighth-wicket stand between Todd Ferguson, who made 63 with 11 fours and a six, and Stewart Davison.
After Ferguson became Ryan’s fifth victim, and Richard West dismissed Tom Nugent, Banbury had a sniff of victory with the last pair at the crease.
But Davison (34no) played out the final over to secure a draw.
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