A magnificent unbeaten century by new skipper Craig Haupt led Banbury to a notable five-wicket over reigning Home Counties Premier League champions Finchampstead as the new campaign opened on Saturday.

Paul Taylor, leftMissing half of last year's side, Banbury were up against it at 50-3, but Haupt led from the front with a superb unbeaten 138, with excellent support from former England and Northants seamer Paul Taylor.

Taylor followed an accurate spell of bowling in a high-scoring match with a valuable innings of 60, to help Banbury secure their first win in five attempts against the Berkshire side.

Having won the toss, Banbury were boosted by an early wicket from Taylor, who conceded only five scoring shots in his eight-over opening spell.

The visitors recovered after a slow start thanks to Tom Hall, who hit the league's first century of the season, and Herefordshire's Steve Brogan.

Aussie Mark McInnes and Harry Hall provided the late impetus as the support bowling proved less reliable than Taylor.

Finchampstead opened with both spinners, using the old ball, but after seven unsuccessful overs of spin, were rewarded with the scalps of both openers and a third wicket soon after.

Tim Smith joined Haupt in a stand of 56 in ten overs. Then Taylor dominated a fifth-wicket partnership of 105 in 17 overs, his 60 coming from 59 balls with a six and eight fours.

Banbury needed 62 from 12 overs when Chris Smith went to the crease. But he played a great supporting role to Haupt in an unbeaten stand of 64 in under nine overs, to see his side to a fine win.

Haupt finished unbeaten on 138, facing 116 balls and hitting five sixes and 20 fours as the only two sides to win this league got the new season of to a highly entertaining start.

FINCHAMPSTEAD

T Hall b Hill...101

P Carter c Smith b Adams...8

E Brogan c Phillips b Taylor...19

M McInnes run out...45

H Hall not out...50

A Spencer not out...10

Extras...39

Total (4 wickets)...272

Fall: 1-27, 2-101, 3-179, 4-232.

Bowling: Taylor 18-6-39-1, Adams 8-3-21-1, Rorich 7-1-36-0, Haupt 8-0-47-0, Phillips 11-1-67-0, Hill 11-0-44-1.

BANBURY

A Sabin lbw Denning...12

I Tew c T Hall b O Sullivan...12

C Haupt not out...138

M Rorich b Denning...3

T Smith run out...17

P Taylor b McInnes...60

C Smith not out...16

Extras...17

Total (5 wkts)...275

Fall: 1-29, 2-33, 3-50, 4-106, 5-211.

Bowling: McInnes 18-1-90-1, Carter 7-0-37-0, Denning 14-1-31-2, O'Sullivan 12-3-51-1, Cowie 2-0-16-0.