Craig Haupt smashed 74 as Banbury beat Division 1 leaders Oxford by one wicket in a derby thriller on Saturday.

Coming in at No 3, Haupt nearly saw his side home single-handedly after a super innings that comprised six fours and lasted 117 balls.

However, with just three runs needed to reach their 180-run target, Haupt was trapped lbw byUsman Arif.

However, with both sides sniffing victory, No 11 Jimmy Phillips scored the three runs needed as Banbury edged home.

Earlier, Oxford were dismissed for 179, with Daniel King top-scoring with 60.

After King fell, a partnership of 56 in 11 overs between Stuart Hole (37) and John Barrett (20) proved crucial as Oxford’s batsmen gave their bowlers something to bowl at.

Luke Ryan was the pick of the Banbury bowlers with 4-49 from 17 overs, while Luke Radford returned 3-55.

Banbury lost wickets at regular intervals, and at 122-5, the result was in the air.

However, a 33-run stand between Haupt and Radford was cricital, before the latter was dismissed by Shamilal Mendis who finished with 4-59.

Although Haupt could not quite see the innings through, Phillips did what he needed to as Banbury moved up to third in the table, just three points behind Oxford, who stay top despite the defeat.