Home Counties League

The Premier Division title will go right down to the wire after the top-of-the table clash between High Wycombe and Banbury on Saturday ended in a rain-affected draw.

Banbury had the better of the contest and extended their lead to 11 points, but the championship will not be decided until next Saturday, when Banbury entertain Basingstoke and Wycombe travel to Beaconsfield.

Batting first, Banbury saw their innings reduced to 64 overs after rain in mid-afternoon and Wycombe's innings was reduced, eventually, to 50 overs after two more stoppages.

Banbury's innings was built around two main partnerships 56 in 15 overs for the third wicket between Craig Haupt and Tim Smith, and then a sixth-wicket stand of 54 in 12 overs between Neal Radford and David Taylor.

Banbury reached 238-8, Taylor top-scoring with 68, while Tim Scriven's left-arm spin brought him 5-50.

Wycombe's reply began badly with both openers out in single figures before Jason Harrison and Jamie Benning added 77 for the third wicket.

At tea, 170 were required from 30 overs, which was always unlikely.

But Banbury were unable to snatch the necessary wickets to secure victory despite ringing the changes with their bowlers.