Banbury captain Kieron Coyne says the club has laid strong foundations for the 2025 campaign after a solid winter, an unbeaten run of pre-season fixtures, and a couple of convincing wins early in the league.
“Yeah great pre-season,” Coyne says. “Indoor training was a great start to the year with the turn out being consistent and everyone training hard and focusing on specific things to work on. It seemed to help us hit the ground running with our 3 preseason games where we won all three and played some good cricket throughout.”
Banbury’s preparation has also been boosted by the arrival of two new signings, young batters George Tait and Arjan, who’ve already brought energy to the side.
“Two new signings both young batters,” Coyne explains. “George Tait returning to his childhood club and Arjan studying nearby. [We] brought them in to lengthen our batting order and add to a good side. The energy they bring has improved us in the field and great lads to have around.”
Coyne insists the squad are keeping their focus on the present and not getting carried away by thinking about end-of-season ambitions.
“Turning up every Saturday and winning games of cricket,” he says. “We aren’t focusing on the end of year and what potentially might come from it we taking 1 game at a time and enjoying it along the way.”
The season opener showed signs that the plan is already paying off.
“Great first game and a great way to start the year,” Coyne says. “Very different start from our first game of the season last year so was great to get off to a positive start. As a side everyone chipped in with the ball and in the field and chased it 2 down which I thought was a great show of professionalism to finish it so convincingly.”
Banbury also got off to a strong start in T20s, picking up two wins and building momentum for the road ahead.
“T20 was great,” Coyne says. “Great to start off with 2 wins which helped us immensely heading into round 1. We also enjoy those days and hoping to carry on and progress as far as we can in the competition.”
And it’s not just on the field that things are moving in the right direction. The club has also been working behind the scenes to improve facilities and the matchday experience for players and spectators alike.
“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes with our community and groundsman combined putting a lot of hours and time into getting our wickets better for the teams playing and more enjoyable viewing for those coming down to watch.”
Banbury are currently sitting at 4th in the table, after 2 wins and 2 losses. Great Brickhill managed to sneak in a win on Saturday 31st May in the last over by just four runs. The White-Post Road squad will look to bounce back for the final 50-over game, before the red-ball fixtures begin.
