Fresh from an important victory over Great Brickhill, Henley kicked off their red-ball campaign in style, claiming the full 25 points against a strong Oxford Downs side.

Having won the toss and opted to bat first, the visitors looked to assert themselves early. At the drinks break, they had reached 58 for 2; a steady partnership developing despite probing spells from opening bowlers Harry Jordan and Jon Denning.

The Oxford Downs batters continued to dig in, but tight and disciplined bowling from Charlie Dunnett and Declan Farland put the brakes on their progress. From 150 for 4, Oxford Downs slipped to 201 for 9, forced to accelerate as the overs ticked away.

They eventually posted a total of 231, using the full 64 overs. In reply, Henley produced a blistering start, with Johnny Connell and Matt Dalrymple racing to 100 inside just 13 overs. Despite a brief wobble in the middle order, Henley pressed on, chasing down the target in 42 overs for the loss of six wickets; an emphatic statement of their positive intent with the bat. Dalrymple ending with 73 and Connell 56.

Henley now sit third in the table, with a key run of fixtures to come against High Wycombe, Finchampstead and Aston Rowant; opportunities that will need to be taken if Henley wish to stamp their mark on the league.