BEACONSFIELD'S bowlers were on the receiving end of a quite amazing batting feat by Banbury's opening batsmen in their Home Counties Premier League Division One match at Bodicote on Saturday.

The Banbury openers Craig Haupt and Andrew Sabin put on an amazing 312 for the first wicket in 59.3 overs before their declaration at 312 for nought.

To their credit, Beaconsfield also made the most of an excellent pitch to secure a comfortable draw at 209 for six.

Every member of Beaconsfield's five-pronged attack had played for Bucks, but they were helpless to halt the assault led by South African-born left-hander Haupt who hammered 200 not out off 206 balls with 27 fours and two sixes.

Sabin played a more passive role, making 101 off 156 balls with deftly placed shots. Off-spinner Mark Sullivan, making his Premier League debut, was the pick of the bowlers.

By batting on to allow both Haupt and Sabin to complete their personal landmarks, Banbury had reduced their chances of victory.

Beaconsfield seemed in trouble at 49 for four, but a half-century from Nayan Doshi, helped by useful innings from Simon Perks and Steve Lynch, averted the danger of defeat.

This was Alistair Storie's first game as Beaconsfield's new captain and proved a baptism of fire. The former Warwickshire and Scotland batsman has taken over the reins from the veteran Steve Lynch.