Oxford edged out Banbury by two wickets in a remarkable Division 1 derby clash at White Post Road on Saturday.
In a match of amazing fluctuations, Banbury recovered from a dreadful start to reach 207-9 thanks to a brilliant century from Craig Haupt.
For a long time, that total looked enough for victory, but a late half-century from Ian Crosby saw Oxford home with 11 balls to spare.
The result was enough to knock Banbury off the top of the table and move Oxford up to third.
Banbury could not have made a worst start after choosding to bat first, losing their first four wickets for just one run. Andrew Sabin fell in the second over, caught behind by Todd Hutcheson off the bowling of Jack Brooks.
In the next over, Ian Tew was caught at slip by Chris Sandbach off Stuart Hole It became 1-4 when Simon Hole was run out and then Shahbaz Ali was trapped lbw by Stuart Hole, both for ducks.
Haupt , who was dropped at slip before he had scored, and Ant Bullick added 30 before Bullick was caught by Brooks off the bowling of Graham Charlesworth.
Banbury were still in big trouble at 31-5.
Haupt was then joined at the wicket by Banbury captain Ian Hawtin in a stand that turned the game.
The pair added 143 for the sixth wicket in 42 overs, Haw-tin contributing 55 from 154 balls.
The more aggressive Haupt, who gave a couple of chances, made 103 from 161 balls in a magnificent knock.
Banbury reached 207-9 from their 66 overs.
Stuart Hole, with 3-27 off 12 overs, and the Northants contracted Brooks (2-26 off 13 overs) were the pick of the Oxford bowlers. In reply, Oxford also started badly.
Chris Sandbach was caught behind off the bowling of Bullick, while skipper Jason Harrison was bowled by Ed Smith to make it 14-2.
Stewart Laudat and Nick Ferraby added 35 before the latter was run out.
Charlesworth, with a breezy 24 from 23 balls, added 30 for the fourth wicket with Laudat, who was then bowled by Jimmy Phillips, having scored 41 from 52 balls.
With Oxford struggling at 104-5, Banbury were favour-ites.
Crosby and Stuart Hole added 40, but it became 162-7 when Hutcheson was trapped leg before to Bullick.
Brooks and Crosby added 43 before Crosby was eighth out for 56.
Oxford were all but home, with Brooks hitting the winning runs off the first ball of the 53rd over to secure a hard-earned victory.
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