NATHAN Hawkes starred with bat and ball to help Banbury down leaders Welwyn Garden City by five wickets in Division 1 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.
The Oxfordshire all-rounder took 4-58 as Welwyn succombed to 174 all out, then hit 77 in the match’s decisive partnership with Craig Haupt (64).
Banbury won the toss and inserted their hosts at Digswell Park.
Wickets fell regularly as Welwyn managed a best partnership of just 43 runs between James Southgate and Nicholas Walker.
Seamer Hawkes was well-supported by left-arm spinner Luke Ryan, who captured 3-29 and took two catches.
Banbury lost openers Damian Shirazi early on, but Haupt and Hawkes took the score from 15-2 to 146-3.
Haupt and Richard West fell as their side closed in on their target, but Banbury ran out comfortable winners.
Josh Megson, 15, made his first-team debut for Banbury, but didn’t get the chance to bat or bowl.
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