BANBURY opened the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1 season with a convincing victory on run rate at home to Welwyn Garden City in a rain-affected 50-over contest.

Skipper Jimmy Phillips elected to bowl first after winning the toss, and Welwyn Garden City had reached 156-6 off 43.3 overs when the ground was hit by a downpour.

Ollie Wright together with spinners Phillips, Richard West and Luke Ryan produced tight spells to restrict the Welwyn batsmen.

Gavin Baker top-scored for the visitors with a patient 49.

With the players off the field for a certain length of time, the innings was declared closed, and Banbury were given 43 overs to beat their opponents’ total.

However, after just one over of the Banbury innings it rained again, and the hosts were left with a revised target of 103 off 29 overs.

After a further hour and 20 minutes play, Banbury had reached 85-2 off 16.4 overs when rain forced the players off again.

That saw Banbury’s target revised to 78 off 22 overs.

With no further play possible as Banbury – with opener Lloyd Sabin unbeaten on 31 – had already passed that figure they were awarded victory.