BANBURY were knocked off the top of the Division 1 table when they suffered a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat away to reigning champions Henley on Saturday.

Despite a spirited last-wicket stand, Banbury could muster only 139 after being put in to bat, and Henley, who are coming into form after a slow start, eased home inside 32 overs.

The result drops Banbury to third behind new leaders High Wycombe and Henley.

They are only a point ahead of fourth-placed Slough.

Banbury opener Lloyd Sabin departed for a duck, one of four victims of Tahir Afridi, who also dismissed Richard West and Nathan Hawkes for single figures.

Dan Harris and Jonny Cater briefly arrested the slide, before Harris fell to the left-arm spin of Gurveer Singh.

Henley skipper Bjoirn Mordt (4-30) then ripped through the Banbury middle and lower order to leave them in dire straits at 92-9.

Late resistance came from Liam Manley and skipper Jimmy Phillips who shared a last-wicket stand of 47.

Manley finshed with the top score of 35, before becomimg the last victim of Afridi who ended with 4-35.

The innings lasted 52.1 overs.

Banbury opted for a mixture of seam and spin when Henley began the reply and it reaped early dividends when left-armer Luke Ryan dismissed David Barnes for one.

That was Ryan’s only joy as Ben McDermott (38) and Euan Brock (60no) hit him for 52 in ten overs, while Phillips’s off-spin was also severely punished.

Banbury will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they entertain Tring Park this Saturday.

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