BANBURY were given an almighty fright by Division 1 new boys Horspath before securing an emphatic 62-run victory in a rain-affected opener at White Post Road.

Having been put in to bat on a wet pitch, Luke Ryan’s much-fancied side were shot out for 121.

But Banbury roared back to skittle the visitors for just 59.

Just 1.5 overs were possible before a lengthy rain break saw the match reduced to 42 overs a side.

All eyes were on former Australian Test player Tim Paine as he made his league debut for Banbury.

But he was first to go, mistiming a pull shot off fellow Australian Adam Price and wicket-keeper Robbie Eason ran round to take a steepling catch at square leg.

Lloyd Sabin then fell for a duck to Pat Foster, and Banbury were 23-3 when Richard West was caught by skipper Will Eason off Jamil Faruq.

Hugo Darby’s resistance was ended by Will Eason, before Faruq beat Ian Tew and Luke Ryan for pace to make it 48-6.

But Will Briggs (36) and Ashley Blanchard shared a stand of 46 for the seventh wicket, before 15-year-old left-arm spinner Lloyd Belcher (4-18) polished off the tail, completed by Jimmy Phillips being caught by his namesake at mid-off.

Horspath suffered an early blow in reply when Robbie Eason fell without scoring to a superb one-handed catch by Sabin at square leg off Penhale.

The Oxfordshire seamer then had Phillips caught behind, the first of six victims for Paine, who quickly snapped up former Banbury man Shahbaz Ali off Blanchard.

The last four wickets fell with the score on 59 as Foster was adjudged lbw to Wright, Will Eason and Price were controversially given out caught behind and Belcher was bowled by Penhale, who finished with 4-11.

Horspath’s total was their lowest in the league, superceding the 105 they made against Aston Rowant in 2011.