BANBURY’S distant Division 1 title hopes al but ended when they lost by five wickets away to Henley in a rain-affected match on Saturday.

The Duckworth/Lewis method had to be brought into play after rain interrupted Henley’s reply to the visitors score of 265-4 from 50 overs.

Henley’s reduced target was 240 from 45 overs, which they achieved with just two balls to spare.

Half-centuries from Olly Clarke (69) and Will Hawtin (62) laid the basis for Banbury’s impressive total after they had been put in to bat.

But Banbury’s bowlers were unable to contain Henley opener Matthew Rowe, who hit a sparkling 87 to send Henley on their way.

Spinners Luke Ryan and Lloyd Sabin did their best to slow down the rate, but Henley squeezed home in the final over.

Great & Little Tew had high hopes of pulling off a shock result when they dismissed visitors High Wycombe for 135 in 39.2 overs.

But Tew’s batsmen also struggled and they were all out for 114 in 37.4 overs.

Skipper Andy Harris was the star for Tew, taking 4-15 to rip the heart out of the Wycombe innings.

Despite Harry Smith’s fine 37, Tew slumped to 76-8 in reply.

Harris hammered 29 off 19 balls before being run out, thus securing Wycombe’s 21-run win.