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Oxfordshire skipper Luke Ryan played a key role as Banbury bounced back to winning ways with a 16-run victory over Potters Bar in Division 1 at White Post Road.

He made an unbeaten 35 off 37 balls as Banbury battled to 178-9 off 50 overs, and then took 3-17 off ten tight overs of left-arm spin to help bowl Potters Bar out for 162.

After being put in to bat on a sporting wicket, Banbury quickly lost openers Lloyd Sabin and Ian Tew to lbw decisions as Tanweer Sikander and George Scott produced lively opening spells.

Craig Haupt steadied the ship though with 52 off 96 balls, including four fours and a six, before he was caught on the long on boundary by Jomel Warrican off Ben Taylor.

Potters Bar were reduced to ten men for the last 20 overs after Dan Pascoe suffered a cut eyebrow – which required stitches in Horton General Hospital – after being hit as he dived to his left to field a Richard West drive off his own bowling.

Ryan took advantage of the gaps in the field, and was joined by captain Jimmy Phillips in what was to be a crucial unbroken last-wicket stand of 26.

Ollie Wright struck a couple of early blows in the Potters Bar innings by bowling openers David Breeze and Scott.

But Sikander (53) and Warrican (33) rebuilt the innings to take Potters Bar to 101-4.

Ryan trapped the dangerous Sikander lbw and won a similar decision against skipper Chris Swainland, who was clearly unimpressed by the verdict, during his accurate spell.

South African import Brady Barends returned to the attack to take two wickets, including Pascoe, after his hospital visit, before West wrapped up the innings with the last two wickets.

Scores: Banbury 178-9 (50 ovs, C Haupt 52, L Ryan 35no, G Scott 3-46), Potters Bar 162 (49 ovs, T Sikander 53, J Warrican 33, L Ryan 3-17). Banbury 25pts, Potters Bar 6.