BANBURY suffered final-over heartache as they were knocked out of the ECB National Club Championship at the second-round stage.

Stanmore saw off Banbury by two runs, while Oxford also exited the competition with a home defeat– going down by eight wickets to High Wycombe.

Chasing 247 for victory against Stanmore at White Post Road, Banbury were boosted by Nathan Hawkes’s superb century and needed 16 off the final over.

This became five off the last ball, but Ashley Blanchard could muster only two, so the hosts lost by two runs.

Ultimately the loss of front-line spinners Luke Ryan (unavailable) and Jimmy Phillips (side strain) meant Banbury conceded too many runs on a turning wicket.

Stanmore made 246-7 in their 45 overs, with Omar Anwar (63) and Tim Percival (54) leading the way.

Part-time spinners Chris Smith (3-25) and Lloyd Sabin bowled well.

Stanmore used four spinners in Banbury’s reply, which was underpinned by Hawkes’s 105 off 86 balls.

He hit 11 fours and one six in a super knock, but was out in the penultimate over.

Captain Marc Reingold was the pick of the Stanmore attack, taking 4-40 in his nine overs.

Having won the toss at Roman Way, Oxford could manage only a below-par 144 all out, Jamie Perkin top-scoring with 37.

Wycombe raced to 145-2 in 21 overs as Matt Eyles smashed 73 not out, while Usman Arif and Stewart Laudat took some punishment.