SLOUGH captain Bobby Sher believes that survival in Home Counties Division One this season is still in their hands after a three-wicket win against Banbury on Saturday.

Sher hailed the victory at Upton Court Park, their first success in seven weeks, as massive and the start in their campaign against relegation.

The win has moved Slough out of the two relegation positions and demoted Horspath, with the two teams set to clash in Oxford this Saturday (11am start) in a match Sher has labelled as make or break for them both.

He told the Observer: “It was a massive win for us last weekend so I’m very happy. We know we’ve still got a lot of work to do but still it was good for the boys to win. It was the beginning of our campaign to stay up and it was massive.

“If we didn’t win last weekend the importance of the Horspath game would not be possible. It was important for us to win because it means it’s still in our hands.

“Horspath are going to fight hard this Saturday, as are we, so we know we’re going to have a good game and may the best team win.

“Horspath are a good side that have been up and down in the Premier League for the past two or three years. They’ve got good players that do the basics correct, but their overseas went back to Pakistan with an injury so that hindered their campaign.

“In a few areas they might be struggling, so hopefully we can take advantage of that, but by no means is it going to be an easy game. We’re going to have to work hard and do the basics correct to come away with a win.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Lloyd Paternott (batting) top-scored for Slough with 75 not out on Saturday.

“Saturday will be make our break for one of us so it’s important for the guys to realise what’s at stake and take it from there.”

Banbury won the toss and chose to bat first at Upton Court Park but were restricted to 170-7 from their allotted 50 overs with John West (41), Jack Wilkins (26) and Oliver Wright (25*) the leading scorers.

The wickets were shared amongst the Slough bowlers with Ikhlaq Nawaz (2-18), Steven Green (2-26) and Zohaib Ahmed (2-38) fairing best.

In response, Slough reached 172-7 for the win with one over to spare. Lloyd Paternott carried his bat through for an unbeaten 75, supported by Daniyal Akhtar (26) and Fahim Qureshi (23).

West led the Banbury bowling attack with his 3-24.

Sher commented: "We bowled really well to keep them to 170 on a good wicket. It was a very good bowling effort and, if you look at the figures, everyone chipped in.

"Ikhlaq was unbelievable again, he has been spot on for us all year and set the tone with the ball.

"At one stage so they looked to keep wickets in hand and batted well to get to where they, did but we definitely fancied our chances."

He added: "We were comfortable at one stage, but the story of our season has been we've struggled with the bat, until a phenomenal innings form Lloyd and support from Shazad Rana. We made it hard work four ourselves.

"It was an unbelievable knock by Lloyd. He has top-scored for us a few times this season but this was different, batting under pressure and knowing we really needed to win the game"

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