LLOYD Sabin is urging Banbury to keep their momentum going when they host Tring Park in the Home Counties Premier League tomorrow.

The north Oxfordshire side’s captain took 2-18 and hit an unbeaten 46 in last weekend’s season-opening seven-wicket win at Horspath.

Banbury field an unchanged line-up against Tring and Sabin knows it is important to hit the ground running in the shortened 2020 campaign.

He said: “If we perform I’m confident we’ll get another 20 points.

“Because it’s such a short season, the teams that start with wins will be the ones that have the momentum.

“It’s important we keep it up.”

Despite tasting defeat in his first match as Horspath skipper, Lloyd Belcher was encouraged by the display against Banbury.

The 21-year-old said: “I feel like we bowled reasonably well, with a few too many extras.

“The positive is that we got ourselves out rather than them getting us out, which means it’s in our hands.

“If we improve every week the results will take care of themselves.”

Angus Livingstone makes his debut, while batsmen Jimmy Phillips and Tom Coleman also come in.

Dominic O’Connor, Max Smith and Luke Heritage drop out.

Belcher’s men have another Oxfordshire derby against an unchanged Aston Rowant, who lost by five wickets at home to 2019 Division 1 champions Henley in their opener.

It was a frustrating afternoon for captain Josh Smith, whose side reached 100 for the loss of just two wickets.

He said: “I thought our batting was just above par – we got off to a flyer and didn’t really capitalise on it.

“We lost control in the middle overs with the ball, but Henley batted well.”

He added: “We put ourselves in a position to win, but didn’t.”

Elsewhere, Oxford Downs host Finchampstead after beating Buckingham by eight wickets in their first match.

Captain George Sandbach steered his side to victory with 50 not out and was pleased with the overall display.

“It was good to see everyone contributing with bat and ball,” he said.

“We’ll be mixing up the order, but still keeping things serious.”

All-rounder Tom Cosford, who has signed from Horspath, makes his debut in place of Nick Rivett.

Oxford captain Jamie Perkin is challenging George Tait and Elliot Mathews to back up strong debuts at home to Wokingham.

Tait took 4-26 and Mathews hit 33 in last weekend’s 50-run defeat to Slough and their leader was pleased with what he saw.

He said: “They were two targets we were really happy to get.

“I want to build my side around them and am looking forward to seeing them flourish.”

Joe Porter, Andrew Busby and Sussex academy prospect Harry Startin come in for Aaman Dogar, Ross Tomkins and Freddie Simon.

Meanwhile, Thame Town skipper Michael Beard expects a tough test at Amersham.

Callum Russell replaces Thomas Bamford in the only change to the side that beat Wargrave by three runs last week.

Beard said: “Amersham are particularly good at home, but it’s definitely another winnable fixture.”

OXFORDSHIRE’S sides start a journey they hope will end at Lord’s as The Cricketer Village Cup gets under way on Sunday.

The 49th edition of the tournament was due to begin back in April, but was suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But matches will be played every Sunday until the final, which is provisionally scheduled for September 13.

Oxfordshire’s sides are in Group 19, with four fixtures taking place this weekend.

Oxford Downs visit Cherwell League side Cumnor, with Tiddington at home to Great & Little Tew.

Meanwhile, Eynsham visit Langford, while fellow West Oxfordshire side Shipton-under-Wychwood travel to Horley.

The tournament will stick to its original 40-over format.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Aston Rowant (v Horspath, home): Reid, Condon, Coles, Smith, Fitzjohn, Watling, Pritchard, Bethell, Mannering, Morrick, Whatman.

Banbury (v Tring Park, home): White, Burton, Sabin, Clarke, Phillips, Hill, Rana, Whiteley, Wright, Thomas, Manley.

Horspath (v Aston Rowant, away): Phillips, Ades, Ward, Sehgal, Green, Hawtin, W Eason, Coleman, Beer, Belcher, Livingstone.

Oxford (v Wokingham, home): Mase, Carey, Mathews, Tait, Ramalingam, Swanepoel, Perkin, Busby, Startin, Bridson, Porter.

Oxford Downs (v Finchampstead, away): Maslen, Smith, Sandbach, Slatter, Watts, Cosford, Ellwood, Costley, Warner, Crouch, Brock.

Thame Town (v Wargrave, home): Beard, Ebsworth-Burland, Sutcliffe, Meer, Adams, C Russell, Mushtaq, Jeffcock, Ali, A Russell, Jelfs.