Banbury stormed to the top of the Home Counties Premier League with an emphatic nine-wicket victory over ten-man Bletchley on Saturday.

Two men played major roles in the match.

First, former England and Worcestershire seamer Neal Radford claimed 4-16, and then in-form South African Craig Haupt hit 52 not out.

The writing was on the wall early on for Bletchley, who have lost half their side from last season due to the increased travelling in this league. Radford proved almost unplayable, while Jason De La Pena, back from injury, picked up two wickets.

David Taylor weighed in with his customary contribution as the visitors stumbled to 83 all out in 37 overs.

The total was never going to test Banbury's powerful batting line-up, although there was an early shock when Andrew Sabin was caught for four.

But Haupt and young Shabaz Ali knocked off the runs in under 20 overs, Ali finishing un beaten of 28.

Banbury are now sitting pretty at the top with a ten-point lead as previous pacesetters High Wycombe could only draw against Radlett.

Scorecard:

BLETCHLEY

C Packman b Radford 2

J Stephenson st Megson b Adams 2

G Price b De La Pena 19

C Wayman c Megson b Radford 0

R Sissing c Haupt b Taylor 17

K Locke not out 12

M Stait b De La Pena 1

M Czernek b Taylor 4

N Khan b Radford 18

J Clark b Radford 0

Extras 8

Total (all out, 37ov) 85

Fall: 1-8, 2-8, 3-16, 4-43, 5-46, 6-52, 7-60, 8-83, 9-83.

Bowling: Radford 10-2-16-4, Adams 7-2-14-1, Taylor 10-1-40-2, De La Pena 9-5-12-2, Ali 1-1.

BANBURY

A Sabin c Stait b Czernek 4

C Haupt not out 52

S Ali not out 28

Extras 3

Total (1 wkts, 19.4ov) 87

Fall: 1-5.

Bowling: Khan 10-2-32, Czernek 8-0-36-1, Wayman 1.4-0-19-0.

Banbury 25pts, Bletchley 0