Latest News

Horspath clinch Hartwell Cup Final spot in last-over thriller

2022-07-20T20:59:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH kept their cool on the UK's hottest day on record to clinch a nail-biting six-wicket win at Challow & Childrey and a place in the Hartwell Senior Cup Final at Wormsley on September 17.

Going into their last Pool 2 game, Patrick Foster's side knew they had to complete a perfect record of four wins out of four to be sure of top spot - and they duly delivered.

Jimmy Phillips hit a classy half-century.
Pictures: Rob Judges

But their passage to Oxfordshire T20 Finals Day didn't come without a scare as they were taken to the wire by the hosts before emerging victorious in another last-over thriller.

Chasing Challow's 137-5 after the home side had chosen to bat, Horspath appeared to be coasting to victory as Jimmy Phillips (55) and Will Hawtin (25) shared an opening partnership of 69 inside 10 overs.

However, after they were parted the visitors faltered and it took some powerful straight hitting from Imraan Manack (33no) to get them over the line at 140-4 with a ball to spare.

The hosts embraced T20's spirit with boundaries and wickets greeted with musical accompaniment.

Among the tunes that blared out from the pavilion was Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town' - and Challow old boy Phillips, playing his first competitive game back at his former club, was certainly enjoying being back in town as he set about knocking off the runs.

Unleashing a series of superb cover drives from the green oasis of Challow's square into the straw-coloured desert of an outfield, the left-handed opener added to scores of 47 and 42 in the competition with a classy half-century.

Hawtin, meanwhile, provided excellent support, striking the ball cleanly, including one cracking square cut for four, before he was stumped off Alex Dawson, who hauled Challow back into the game with fine figures of 2-16 off four overs.

Charlie Turner returned figures of 3-26

Phillips, who hit seven fours, went to his fifty with a single down to long off only to be run out shortly afterwards, and with Horspath stumbling to 105-4 in the 17th over, the hosts suddenly sensed they had a chance.

The visitors required 24 off the last two overs, and Manack settled Horspath's nerves with a huge six down to the road end, before Jehan Mohammed's exquisite scoop shot for four saw 10 needed off the final over.

Manack survived a low chance at long on off the first ball while running two, and then smashed the next delivery to the extra cover boundary.

The South African all-rounder was in full flow and picked up two more runs off the fourth ball, before sealing victory in style by hammering the penultimate delivery for four past the sightscreen to see Horspath home to the cheers of their good band of travelling supporters.

Earlier, Horspath had done well to hold the home side to what looked a below-par score on a lightning-fast outfield.

Charlie Turner produced a fine opening spell, before returning to bowl the last over, shattering the stumps with successive deliveries to finish with 3-26.

Manack and Choudhary picked up a wicket apiece with their off-spin, while Lloyd Belcher bowled tidily to concede just 21 runs from his four overs without reward.

Opener Joe Harris hit a bold 41, sharing a second-wicket stand of 50 with Tommie Rees (22), before Olly Dunn (32no) and Jack Pearce (25) took Challow to their final total with the latter's knock including a six, which peppered the scorebox.

Now Horspath await the winners of Pool 1 in the final. Holders Banbury are favourites to top the group after winning their opening three games. They complete their fixtures with a home match against Cumnor on Tuesday.

Posted by: Russ

Belcher stars as Horspath battle back for a draw

2022-07-18T16:51:00.001+01:00

LLOYD Belcher produced a man-of-the-match performance with an unbeaten 48 and 4-41 as Horspath fought back to earn a draw at home to second-placed Wargrave in Home Counties Premier League Division 2.

The former captain dug in once again after Horspath's top-order tribulations continued with the side collapsing to 109-8 following the visitors' decision to field.

Lloyd Belcher shone with
an unbeaten 48 and 4-41

Reprising his role of a week earlier when he came to the rescue with 43 in support of Will Hawtin in an eighth-wicket stand of 95 against Oxford Downs, Belcher again improved on his highest Home Counties score, falling just short of a maiden half-century at the close.

Acting skipper Will Eason this time provided the ideal foil as the pair put on a Home Counties club record of 75 for the ninth wicket to steer Horspath from the depths of despair to a competitive 207-9.

Their superb effort comfortably exceeded the previous best of 56, which they had posted at home to Wokingham in the final game of last season with Eason making an unbeaten 34 and Belcher 27.

Eason was the more fluent of the duo, hitting seven fours in his 43 before he was caught in the deep by Faaez Shamsi off Rhys Lewis to make it 184-9.

Belcher again showed his batting skills are often underestimated by remaining undefeated while adding handy runs for the last wicket with Justin Clarke to take Horspath past the 200-mark. His runs came off 101 balls and included five fours.

Earlier, several of the top order had got in without going on to make a score of any substance with only Imraan Manack (25) holding up Wargrave before a leading edge proved his downfall when he was caught and bowled by Toby Greatwood (2-39).

The Oxford MCCU seamer was well supported by off-spinner Euan Woods with 2-35 from 18 overs and Oliver Winterbottom (2-36), who triggered Horspath's collapse.

Buoyed by their fightback, Horspath were lifted further with Clarke and Eason removing openers Jack Winterbottom and Shamsi respectively courtesy of a brace of catches by wicketkeeper Hawtin as Wargrave slumped to 23-2.

Left-arm spinner Belcher then got to work with the ball, trapping the dangerous Woods lbw for 25 to make it 52-3.

But Horspath were frustrated by Lewis and Greatwood, who shared a stand of 60 for the fourth wicket before the former was caught by Rob Wight at point off Jehan Mohammed for 44.

Off-spinner Saqlain Choudhary then combined with Belcher to chip away at the rest of the order with the pair taking a wicket apiece to make it 146-6.

Greatwood was scoring freely, though, and reached his half-century, before Belcher struck twice more to leave Wargrave 158-8 and boost the home side's hopes of victory.

However, Greatwood found a willing partner in Oliver Winterbottom, who made 16 before being caught by Clarke off Choudhary to make it 191-9.

Horspath had 2.1 overs at Wargrave's last pair, but they stood firm as the fielders crowded around the bat to share the spoils. Greatwood finished unbeaten on 73 from 99 balls with five fours and three sixes with the visitors closing on 195-9.

Belcher's four-wicket haul came off 14 overs, while Choudhary picked up 2-66 from 16 overs and there was a wicket apiece for Eason, Clarke and Mohammed.

Scorecard

Despite emerging with 15 points from the draw, Horspath drop two places to seventh in a congested mid-table ahead of next Saturday's trip to Thame Town.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Horspath 2nd go top with Ahmed and Du Toit on song

2022-07-18T16:48:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH 2nd stormed to the top of Cherwell League Division 2 with a thumping 226-run victory at Sandford St Martin.

The visitors racked up a massive 312-4 after being put in to bat before seamer Erasmus Du Toit claimed a five-wicket haul to send Sandford crashing to 86 all out.

Division 2
leaders

Horspath's top four all hit half-centuries with Shiryar Ahmed leading the run spree with 90 from 78 balls, which included 11 fours and a six.

He shared in a second-wicket stand of 91 with Joey Todd, who completed back-to-back half-centuries with 88 off 116 deliveries with 14 fours and a six.

Todd had earlier put on 97 for the first wicket with Tejas Anand, who took his chance after being promoted from the 3rd XI following successive tons, with 55. He hit 10 fours in his 64-ball knock.#

Stand-in skipper Robbie Eason ensured there was no let-up for the Sandford bowlers by smashing an unbeaten 63 from 54 deliveries with four boundaries and two sixes as he shared a stand of 96 for the third wicket with Ahmed.

Sandford were then blown away by Du Toit (5-14) and Subhan Javaid (3-32) with Todd completing a good day with four catches behind the stumps.

It was left to Charlie Turner (2-13) to wrap up the victory in style by shattering the stumps of Sandford's last pair.

Scorecard

The stunning victory not only saw Horspath roar to the summit, but also open up a healthy 13-point lead over previous leaders Challow & Childrey, who visit the Recreation Ground this Saturday.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Gibbs keeps up fine form in Horspath 3rd's run spree

2022-07-18T16:44:00.001+01:00

JOE Gibbs hit a Cherwell League-best of 87 as Horspath 3rd's batsmen made hay in the sun to record a resounding 131-run win at home to Westcott in Division 3A.

Gibbs, who posted his maiden league half-century with an unbeaten 53 against Great Brickhill 2nd a week ago, continued his good form to take Horspath to a huge 322-9 after they had been put in to bat.

Joe Gibbs hammered 87

His 92-ball knock in the middle order, which included nine fours and a six, came after opener Dan Todd set the tone with nine boundaries in his 57 from 70 deliveries.

Dougal Main (45), Alex Jackson (33) and Alfie Turner (29) also made their mark as Ian Hedley (3-82) and skipper Mark Strong (3-86) struggled to stem the flow of runs.

Having posted the second-highest score of the day, Horspath were always in control with the ball and bowled Westcott out for 191.

Turner (3-33) was the most successful wicket-taker well supported by Ed Oakley, whose 2-31 came off 13 overs, Sameer Hashimi (2-19) and Jackson (2-52). Strong made 51, but the visitors were never in the hunt.

Scorecard

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Hotshot Hamilton rolls back the years with half-century

2022-07-18T16:43:00.001+01:00

OPENER Gareth Hamilton rolled back the years with a half-century in Horspath 4th's six-wicket defeat at Radley in Cherwell League Division 5C.

Hamilton made 51 as the visitors were bowled out for 138 after electing to bat, with Malik Sagher Salim (5-25) the chief destroyer.

Gareth Hamilton hit 51

It was his first half-century since he struck an unbeaten 75 against Brackley 2nd in 2015.

Radley opener Ashley Pike then made 38, before Muzammil Rehman (37no) and Peter Norris (35no) saw the hosts home at 142-4 despite the efforts of Adrian Manger, who took 2-33 from 10 overs.

Scorecard

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Horspath set for Challow decider in Hartwell Cup

2022-07-13T00:16:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH will travel to Challow & Childrey in the Hartwell Senior Cup next Tuesday knowing they must win to be sure of top spot in Pool 2 and a place in Oxfordshire T20 Finals Day at Wormsley on September 17.

Wormsley hosts Finals Day on September 17

The club, who sat out this week's fixtures with five sides in the group, have a perfect record of three out of three following wins over Tiddington, Aston Rowant and Oxford Downs.

However, Horspath can still be overhauled at the top following Challow's 37-run win at Oxford Downs last night with head-to-head results and then net run rate to be used if sides finish level on points.

Opener Shaun Burningham smashed 85 off 52 balls as Challow - who have an outstanding home game against Aston Rowant which is due to be rescheduled - posted 180-4, before Downs were restricted to 143-6.

Meanwhile, Tiddington, who beat Challow last month and entertain Downs next week, also kept their hopes alive with a four-wicket win in a low-scoring contest at Aston Rowant.

Holders Banbury are favourites to win Pool 1 after winning their opening three games. A home match against Cumnor on July 26 completes their fixtures.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Hawtin and Belcher shine as Horspath grab dramatic draw

2022-07-11T17:39:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH came back from the dead in Home Counties Premier League Division 2 to snatch an improbable draw at Oxford Downs with the scores level in a last-ball thriller.

The visitors were in disarray at 25-5 after being put in to bat, before an eighth-wicket stand of 95 between Will Hawtin (72) and Lloyd Belcher (43) turned the innings round to take Horspath to 218 all out.

Will Hawtin starred with a
Home Counties best of 72

Even then, third-placed Downs looked to be in control at 103-2 but, with skipper Patrick Foster (4-63) leading the way, Horspath pegged the home side back to set up a dramatic finish.

The hosts needed seven to win off the last over, bowled by the Horspath captain, with two wickets in hand.

Frankie Crouch and Prav Chahal picked up two singles and two twos from the first five balls to tie the scores and leave Downs requiring one for victory off the last ball.

But Horspath kept their nerve and when Crouch hit it to Will Eason at mid-on he returned it to Foster at the bowler's end to run out the Downs batsman, leaving the home side 218-9.

It was an incredible finish to a cracking game, which no-one could have predicted after Horspath had collapsed in spectacular fashion earlier in the day.

Matt Warner did the damage, blowing away the top order with a stunning spell of 4-0 off 4.2 overs as the visitors lost five wickets for seven runs after reaching 18-0.

Tyrone Eyles led the Horspath fightback with a fluent 40 from 36 balls, but when he was caught and bowled by Downs skipper Tom Costley in the over before lunch the situation still looked bleak with the visitors 84-7 at the break.

However, Hawtin and Belcher came to Horspath's rescue after the interval with a terrific partnership. Hawtin was the busier of the two, striking the ball crisply to hit his highest Home Counties score and his first league half-century for Horspath.

He brought up his fifty with a superb sweep shot - his third boundary in the over following a straight four and one through the covers.

When he reached 63 he had passed his previous best league score of 62 for Banbury at Henley in 2016, before his excellent innings finally came to an end when he chipped a delivery from Costley to Tom Cosford at mid-wicket, leaving Horspath 179-8. His runs came off 64 balls and included 14 fours.

Belcher, meanwhile, provided excellent support to also post his highest Home Counties score. Solid in defence, he applied himself well to the situation and with Will Eason, who chipped in with a handy 16, took the visitors past the 200-mark for just the second time this season.

They had moved the score on to 214 when Eason was bowled by Warner, who returned to complete his five-wicket haul, finishing with 5-28 from 13 overs.

Four runs later Belcher was the last man out in the 57th over when he dragged one on from Costley (3-52).

Horspath's rearguard action had given them a chance and their hopes were boosted further after Eason had Freddie Smith caught by Belcher and Foster bowled Will Watts for 25 to leave Downs 44-2.

But the home side still had the upper hand as James Lauder and Cosford brought up the hundred. Foster then struck twice in as many balls by bowling Lauder for 25 before Luke Maslen fell to a good low catch behind the stumps by Hawtin to make it 103-4.

Cosford batted with his usual fluency, hitting four fours and three sixes, before bringing up his half-century with a single off Belcher.

Leg-spinner Josh Richardson, on his Home Counties debut, was to prove his nemesis, though, as the former Horspath batsman's 46-ball knock was cut short when he holed out to Belcher at long on for 50 to make it 133-5.

Ten runs later, the teenager struck again with Kalan Niyarepola caught by Imraan Manack at deep mid-wicket for 19, but Costley and Warner took the score to 192 before Belcher bowled the Downs skipper for 24.

Warner scored freely to make 34, before Foster returned to the attack to have him caught by Richardson at long off and leave Downs 200-8.

Chahal and Crouch took the home side to the brink of victory, before Horspath's spirited fightback was complete as they snatched a draw out of the fire in a thrilling finish with Foster's final over.

The Horspath captain was well supported by his bowlers with Richardson taking 2-16 and a wicket apiece for Eason and Belcher.

Scorecard

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Todd stars as Horspath 2nd keep up promotion push

2022-07-11T17:26:00.001+01:00

JOEY Todd hit a resolute half-century as Horspath 2nd maintained their promotion push in Cherwell League Division 2 with an 83-run win over Oxford Downs 2nd at the Recreation Ground.

Todd made 65 at the top of the order from 120 balls with 12 fours as Horspath posted 184 all out after being put in to bat.

He put on 90 for the second-wicket with Robbie Eason (30), but after they were dismissed in quick succession the innings fell away and it took a breezy 28 from Charlie Turner to take the hosts to their final score.

Ben Denton pegged the home side back with 5-19. But Horspath's bowlers then got stuck into Downs' batting as the visitors crashed to 101 all out.

Erasmus Du Toit (4-19) was the chief destroyer, well supported by opening partner Subhan Javaid (2-18) with Turner, Luke Heritage and Christopher Hofen picking up a wicket apiece.

Scorecard

The win keeps Horspath in second place - four points behind leaders Challow & Childrey.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Anand racks up successive tons in Horspath 3rd's win

2022-07-11T17:24:00.001+01:00

OPENER Tejas Anand reeled off back-to-back centuries as Horspath 3rd recorded a stunning 102-run victory at Great Brickhill 2nd in Cherwell League Division 3A.

He smashed a brilliant 126 off 97 balls with 23 fours and one six as Horspath rattled up 279-9 after choosing to bat.

Tejas Anand hit a superb 126

Anand, who made a league-best 132 against Leighton Buzzard Town in his last knock, carried on where he left off before he was finally dismissed to make it 201-5.

Joe Gibbs then took over, blasting a maiden league half-century with an unbeaten 53 to take Horspath to their final total. His runs came off 70 balls and included seven fours and a six. Dominic Pritchard (3-44) and Nimesh Chavda (3-46) were Brickhill's most successful bowlers.

Gibbs then got to work with the ball, taking 3-23 to reduce Brickhill to 69-3. Hadi Ali trapped opener Hamid Miah for 56, while Drew Burrows chipped in with 39 before falling to stand-in skipper Jason Cardy.

Stuart Berry also took a wicket before going off injured after splitting the webbing on his hand, leaving Tom Smith (3-13) to step in and wrap up the innings.

Scorecard

Latest table

Captain Craig Wharton continued his fine form with 75 as Horspath 4th secured a draw at home to Wantage & Grove in Division 5C.

Facing the visitors' formidable 246-7 dec after they had chosen to bat, opener Wharton kept Wantage at bay during his 108-ball knock, which included 14 fours, as Horspath closed on 171-8.

He was well supported in a third-wicket stand of 101 by Abdul Dogar (23) after the hosts had been in early trouble at 17-2. Will Bury (3-26), Tim Weekes (3-42) and Will Harvey (2-30) shared the wickets.

Earlier, Adrian Manger had been the pick of the Horspath bowlers with 3-62, while Sammy Parker picked up 2-23 as Wantage piled up the runs.

Opener Colin Mercer (71) and Bury (23) put on 113 for the first wicket, before three wickets fell for one run. However, Tim Lane (59) and Bhupendra Basilisco-Gurung (52) then shared a stand of 118 to power Wantage to their final total.

Scorecard

Standings

Posted by: Russ

Ruff rocks the Rec as Horspath roar on in Hartwell Senior Cup

2022-07-06T21:46:00.001+01:00

ELLIOT Ruff hammered an imperious half-century as Horspath took a giant step towards Oxfordshire T20 Finals Day with an emphatic 65-run victory at home to Oxford Downs in the Hartwell Senior Cup.

Elliot Ruff cracks a cover drive during his
brilliant knock of 58. Pictures: Rob Judges

The side have now won all three of their matches to strengthen their grip at the top of Pool 2 with a trip to Challow & Childrey on July 19 to complete the group games.

Ruff wasted no time in getting the Recreation Ground rocking after Horspath elected to bat, with three fours in the second over, before he repeated the feat with three consecutive boundaries in the next.

He kept up the sublime strokeplay with two more fours in the fifth over, before a sweetly-struck straight six by the scout hut saw Horspath race past 50.

Ruff brought up his own half-century with a four over extra cover in the next over, before his brilliant knock came to an end when he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary by the hedge off Gus Watts for 58 to make it 70-1. His runs came off just 31 balls and included 12 fours and one maximum.

Jimmy Phillips hits out on
the way to making 42

Jimmy Phillips had been content to play a supporting role, but he stepped up a gear accompanied by skipper Patrick Foster, who made 19 before falling to a low catch at deep square leg off Henry Welch, leaving Horspath 110-2 in the 15th over.

Phillips hit a straight six over long on by the cycle speedway track before being caught off Welch's next ball at mid-on as he attempted to repeat the shot for 42 from 38 deliveries.#

Welch was enjoying success with his leg spin and claimed two more wickets to finish with 4-33 as Horspath closed on 168-6.

Bowling with good pace, Charlie Turner (2-16) then struck two early blows in Downs' reply with Alex Ling flicking a delivery off his legs into Phillips's hands on the deep square leg boundary by the hedge, before Luke Maslen was trapped lbw to leave the visitors 30-2.

Spinners Imraan Manack (2-23) and Josh Richardson (1-19) tightened Horspath's hold with a wicket apiece to make it 60-4 as opener Matthew Young (24) and Frankie Crouch fell with Subhan Javaid and Tyrone Eyles taking good catches in the deep.

Downs were never in the hunt from that point and left-arm spinner Lloyd Belcher ripped through the lower order with 4-7 as they closed on 103-9, despite a hard-hit 22 from Watts.

Scorecard

Standings

Posted by: Russ

Horspath share the spoils as rain comes to the rescue

2022-07-04T20:27:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH were saved by the weather in a rain-affected draw at Great Brickhill in Home Counties Premier League Division 2.

Defending 173 after being put in to bat, Horspath were facing defeat as Brickhill chased down the target only for the innings to be interrupted by a series of downpours before they finally closed on 160-5.

Patrick Foster hit 45 off 42 balls

Horspath had Jehan Mohammed back in the side just two weeks after suffering a nasty neck injury while taking a catch which led to the abandonment of the home game against Chesham.

But the side's struggles with the bat continued as they once more posted a below-par score after being bowled out 5.3 overs short of their allotted amount.

The visitors had reached 71-1 with Elliot Ruff hitting a run-a-ball 38 in a second-wicket stand of 57 with opener Max Smith only to lose four wickets for six runs as they collapsed to 77-5.

Skipper Patrick Foster and Will Hawtin took Horspath to lunch without further loss at 101-5, before going on to share a stand of 72 for the sixth wicket. Foster struck a fluent 45 off 42 balls with four fours and three sixes, while Hawtin chipped in with 25.

The Horspath captain had just hit Navin Kavikara for consecutive sixes when he was bowled by the Sri Lankan off-spinner, who finished with 5-65 off 18 overs as Brickhill mopped up the tail. Kavikara was well supported by Jude Ramanadanpulle (3-36) and Marcus Critchley (2-16).

Will Eason made an early breakthrough in Brickhill's reply by claiming the wicket of skipper Garth Davson, but the home side had moved on to 84-2 off 21.4 overs with Foster removing Aadi Sharma for 28 when a rain break of an hour and 20 mins saw the innings reduced to 36 overs.

South African off-spinner Imraan Manack struck twice after the resumption, with Mohammed taking a catch to dismiss Marcus Critchley for 24, before opener Rhys Nicholas was the victim of a rare hit wicket dismissal when he had made 32.

Rain again interrupted play, but Oxfordshire captain Jonny Cater scored freely when the action resumed, smashing an unbeaten 49 from 38 balls with three fours and two sixes as the hosts closed in on victory.

Brickhill required 14 to win, but a further downpour brought a premature end to the match, leaving both sides with 10 points apiece. Manack finished with 2-29, and there was a wicket apiece for Eason, Foster and Amin Rafiq.

Scorecard

Horspath remain in sixth place at the halfway point of the season with a trip to Oxford Downs next up on Saturday.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Rana and Eyles sparkle before downpour denies Horspath 2nd

2022-07-04T20:20:00.001+01:00

MOHSON Rana and Tyrone Eyles hit superb half-centuries before Horspath 2nd were denied the chance to push for victory in a rain-affected draw at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood in Cherwell League Division 2.

The home side were in trouble at 61-5 after being put in to bat, before Eyles and Pete Healey turned the innings round with a sixth-wicket stand of 92.

Mohson Rana hammered an
unbeaten 58 from 69 balls

Eyles smashed 50 off 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Healey hammered 40 from 35 deliveries.

Rana then rolled back the years to compile an unbeaten 58 off 69 balls with seven fours and a six, putting on 71 for the ninth wicket stand with Subhan Javaid (23) to take Horspath to 256-9.

Better known for his bowling, it was Rana's first half-century since he made 51 against Cropredy in 2014. Harry Davies (4-58) and Arun White (2-43) did the early damage for the visitors.

Mark Skelton removed both Shipton openers cheaply, before Stephen Green (2-4) picked up two victims - including Freddie Norridge (34) - bowling seam instead of his occasional leg-spin as Shipton stuttered to 82-5 before the rain came to their rescue, leaving the hosts frustrated.

Scorecard

The 16-point haul from the draw takes Horspath up to second - their highest position this season - just four points behind leaders Bledlow Village.

Latest table

Horspath 3rd's five-match winning streak in Division 3A came to an end when their game away to Oxenford was abandoned at the halfway point due to rain.

The visitors may well have been grateful the weather intervened after crashing to 137 all out following their decision to bat.

Only skipper Ryan Hicks (43) and Luke Heritage (28), making his comeback after breaking a finger, showed any resistance as Amer Ali (4-27) and Hamish Couper (3-44) polished off the batting after Rishab Vudathu (2-19) made early inroads.

However, rain meant there was no further play with both sides taking seven points.

Scorecard

Standings

Horspath 4th battled their way to a slice of the points in a rain-affected draw at home to Division 5C leaders East Oxford 2nd.

The visitors posted 218-8 dec after being put in to bat with Armughan Shahid hitting 87 and Adnan Hamid 31.

Euan Barrett and Tom Smith took a wicket apiece, before Robin Pykett (3-20) and Chris Hotchen (3-42) pegged East Oxford back.

Skipper Craig Wharton made 32 at the top of the Horspath order, but the side had slumped to 81-6 when the game was called off. Zahid Ali (2-10), Zarwali Ahmadzai (2-27) and Sajjad Khan (2-36) shared the wickets.

Scorecard

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Horspath storm to dramatic victory in Hartwell Cup

2022-06-29T09:05:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH pulled off a thrilling run chase for the second week running to make it two wins out of two in Hartwell Senior Cup Pool 2 with a scintillating six-wicket victory at Aston Rowant.

Facing Rowant's 156-4 after the home side had elected to bat, Horspath were always in touch with the run rate and reached the last over on 150-4 when the game took a dramatic twist.

Elliot Ruff starred with 44. Picture: Rob Judges

The umpires ruled that Rowant had failed to bowl their overs in the allotted time and awarded Horspath six penalty runs - bringing the scores level.

Christopher Hofen duly completed victory by cracking Hayden Rossouw's second delivery through point to take the visitors to 157-4 with four balls to spare.

The win puts Horspath top of Pool 2 and sets up a potential group decider next Tuesday at home to Oxford Downs, who beat Aston Rowant in their opening game, but didn't feature in last night's matches.

It was something of an anti-climax of a finish, but Rowant ultimately paid the price for a wayward opening with the ball which saw them concede 21 wides as Horspath raced to 37-1 off four overs.

Elliot Ruff then played the starring role, driving powerfully through the onside and extra cover to make 44 from 34 balls.

He shared a stand of 61 for the third wicket with Imraan Manack, who chipped in with a well-struck 26, before Will Hawtin smashed an unbeaten 29 off 19 balls as Horspath closed in on their target.

Earlier, the visitors had bowled well to restrict Rowant to 54-2 at the midway point of their innings following good spells by Subhan Javaid (1-27) and Charlie Turner (0-26).

Leg-spinner Josh Richardson picked up 2-26 with Rob Wight and Christopher Hofen taking good catches at long on and long off respectively to dismiss skipper Karl Penhale and Will Hammersley, who made 37 off 31 balls, as Rowant reached 75-4.

But then Leo Bethell hammered an unbeaten 43 from 24 balls, and Tristan Rossouw blasted an undefeated 39 from 19 deliveries in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 81 to take Rowant to their final total.

It represented a tough target for Horspath, but they rose to the occasion in splendid fashion to claim a well-deserved victory.

Scorecard

In last night's other Pool 2 match, Tiddington, who Horspath pipped in their opening game, beat Challow & Childrey by 10 runs.

Latest table

Posted by: Russ

Horspath's batting woes strike again in defeat by leaders

2022-06-26T21:29:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH'S batting frailties were exposed again in a four-wicket defeat at home to leaders Harefield in Home Counties Premier League Division 2.

The side were boosted by the inclusion of South African all-rounder Imraan Manack, whose arrival as the club's overseas player had been held up by administrative delays in his homeland.

However, it was a familiar tale once Horspath had decided to bat as they collapsed to 149 all out against impressive Harefield seamers Tom Marshall (4-46) and Jordan McLeod (4-48).

Openers Jimmy Phillips and Shiryar Ahmed put on 30 for the first wicket, but after the latter edged a McLeod delivery into Karanpreet Singh's gloves the rot set in, and the home side were quickly 59-6.

Phillips looked as if he was set to carry on the good form he had shown in the midweek T20 win as he moved on to 26 only to pick out Aatish Anthathi at mid-off to Marshall's delight.

The wickets continued to tumble, and Manack was unable to provide an instant answer as he edged behind off McLeod for four.

It was only when Max Smith and skipper Patrick Foster came together that the home side started to show some resistance, guiding Horspath to lunch at 90-6.

They had added 56 for the seventh wicket, before Smith's gritty knock ended when he became the third player to fall to the McLeod-Singh combination for 22 with the wicketkeeper diving low to his right to take a brilliant one-handed catch and make it 115-7.

Foster had batted fluently to make 28, but he followed four runs later when he was bowled by his Harefield counterpart, Stephen Croft (2-25).

Amin Rafiq showed good application to make an unbeaten 17, before Horspath were finally all out with 10.4 overs left. To add to their woes their final total was one short of a second batting point.

Horspath needed an early breakthrough to stand any chance and they found it when Justin Clarke rushed one through Anthathi's defences during an excellent opening spell to make it 13-1.

But their hopes proved short-lived as Matthew Ogden and Thomas McLeod shared a second-wicket stand of 104. Foster rang the changes in an attempt to make the breakthrough, with Manack bowling seven tidy overs on his debut without reward.

However, it wasn't until fellow off-spinner Rafiq came into the attack that the home side enjoyed some success with McLeod stumped by Rob Wight for 40.

Rafiq struck again to remove Ogden for 64 from 106 balls with Ahmed taking the catch to leave Harefield 128-3. His patient knock included 12 fours.

Left-arm spinner Lloyd Belcher then took two wickets in two balls, including a second stumping for Wight, and Rafiq claimed a third victim when Nick Kelly was lbw for 23 before Harefield secured victory at 150-6. Rafiq finished with 3-31, Belcher 2-29 and Clarke 1-24.

Despite the defeat, Horspath remain in sixth place ahead of next week's trip to seventh-placed Great Brickhill.

Scorecard

Posted by: Russ

Horspath 2nd battle away to earn a draw at Bledlow

2022-06-26T21:25:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH 2nd battled out a draw at Bledlow Village in Cherwell League Division 2.

Having bowled out the home side for 207 after putting them in to bat, Horspath were held to 193-7 in reply.

Robbie Eason made an unbeaten 47
Picture: sportsshots.org.uk

Mark Skelton struck twice to reduce Bledlow to 16-2, before Will Woodward (53) and Charlie Downes (55) responded for the hosts.

Christopher Hofen produced a fine spell with 2-29 off 10 overs, before Skelton returned to claim two more wickets and finish with 4-37. Suban Javaid also picked up two wickets.

Joey Todd (36) got Horspath's run chase off to a solid start, before they lost three wickets in quick succession to slump to 46-3.

Stand-in skipper Robbie Eason (47no) steadied the ship, though, and ensured Horspath claimed a share of the spoils at the close.

Woodward completed a fine all-round game with 3-48, while there were also two wickets apiece for Harry Bartlett and Adam Mould.

The draw sees Horspath move back up to third - 14 points behind leaders Brackley.

Scorecard

Posted by: Russ

Anand and Betts hammer tons in Horspath 3rd's terrific win

2022-06-26T21:23:00.001+01:00

OPENER Tejas Anand and Tom Betts hit brilliant centuries as Horspath 3rd recorded their fifth straight win in Cherwell League Division 3A with a stunning 97-run victory at home to leaders Leighton Buzzard Town.

Anand hammered a Cherwell-best 132, while Betts blasted a maiden league century with 108 as Horspath posted 320-7 dec - the second highest score of the day - after being put in to bat.

Tejas Anand cracked 132

Anand struck 23 fours in his 127-ball knock, which saw him better the 115 he made for Horspath 4th at home to Oxford Downs 3rd last year.

Betts, meanwhile, faced 101 deliveries with 17 boundaries. Adam McNeil's 4-47 proved in vain for Buzzard.

Openers Tom Light (53) and Jack Kempster (41) got Buzzard's run chase off to a good start, but Horspath hit through Stuart Berry (4-64), skipper Ryan Hicks (3-47) and Sameer Hashimi (3-54).

Richard Raine smashed an unbeaten 58 off 46 balls with seven fours and three sixes, while tailender Tom Pope belted 36 from just 13 deliveries with four maximums before Buzzard fell to 223 all out off just 34.4 overs.

The victory moves Horspath up two places to fifth.

Scorecard

Adrian Manger claimed a five-wicket haul before skipper Craig Wharton and Hadi Ali hit half-centuries as Horspath 4th recorded a five-wicket win at Steventon in their Division 5C basement battle.

Manger led the way with 5-27 off 15 overs as Steventon were restricted to 161-8 after being put in to bat. It was the veteran's first five-wicket return since recording identical figures for Horspath 3rd against Cropredy 2nd in 2018.

Muhammad Dogar (2-40) and Euan Barrett (1-40) provided good support, while opener David Webb (45) and Lalit Chablani (37no) were Steventon's main contributors.

Wharton and Ali then laid the foundations for Horspath's run chase with an opening stand of 76.

Ali was the more fluent, making 51 from 59 balls with 10 fours, before he became the first of three victims for Chablani (3-30).

But Wharton was unmovable, continuing his good run of form with an unbeaten 68 from 115 deliveries with 11 fours to steer Horspath home at 163-5.

The wins sees Horspath leapfrog their opponents at the foot of the table.

Scorecard

Posted by: Russ

Horspath happy to finally welcome Imraan Manack

2022-06-23T22:26:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH'S long wait to welcome Imraan Manack as their overseas player for the 2022 Home Counties Premier League campaign is finally over after the South African all-rounder arrived at the Recreation Ground today.

Imraan Manack arrives at Horspath

The club announced the signing of the 30-year-old from Johannesburg at the end of March, but his arrival has been put on hold due to administrative delays in his homeland.

He comes straight into the squad for Saturday's Division 2 game at home to leaders Harefield.

An off-spinner and right-handed bat, Imraan has 28 first-class appearances under his belt, taking 51 wickets at an average of 35.90 as well as scoring more than 500 runs.

He has made his mark in white-ball cricket too, picking up 58 List A wickets. In his last game for Boland in early April, he opened the bowling, making an early breakthrough before Warriors' second-wicket pair of Wihan Lubbe (162) and JJ Smuts (125) shared a stand of 280.

It set Warriors on the way to a formidable 357-6, with Imraan finishing with respectable figures of 1-49 from his 10 overs.

Batting at No 8, Horspath's new recruit then posted his highest List A score with an unbeaten 51 off 41 balls with three fours and two sixes as Boland were bowled out for 271 for an 86-run defeat.

This will be Imraan's third spell in the UK, having previously shone for Hornchurch in the Essex League and Eckington in the Derbyshire League.

The club wish him all the best during his time at the Rec.

Posted by: Russ

Battling Horspath secure victory in last-over thriller

2022-06-22T18:05:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH did just enough in their opening Hartwell Senior Cup Pool 2 game to claim a four-wicket win at home to Tiddington in a last-over thriller.

With shadows advancing across the Recreation Ground on the longest day of the year, the home side - chasing Tiddington's 129-8 off 20 overs after the visitors chose to bat - were 111-5 with two overs remaining.

Christopher Hofen (left) leaves the ground with
Lloyd Belcher after steering Horspath home

Opener Jimmy Phillips had laid the foundations for Horspath's run chase with a well-made 47 off 41 balls.

But the game was still in the balance at the start of the 19th over. Skipper Max Smith hit the first ball bowled by Will Johnson-Coleman for four only to see the next one crash of his bat into the stumps.

Lloyd Belcher picked up a single off the next delivery, before teenager Christopher Hofen emerged as the match-winner with a two followed by a cracking boundary through extra cover and a single to retain the strike.

It left Horspath requiring seven to win off the final over. No runs were scored off Ryan Chapman's first ball, before Hofen's extra cover drive beat the despairing dives of two Tiddington fielders to smack into the boundary by the cycle speedway track.

Singles came off the next two balls, before Hofen hit the winning run off the penultimate delivery, taking Horspath to 130-6 to the cheers of the home contingent. His unbeaten 25 came off 18 balls and was notable for some powerful offside drives.

Earlier, Phillips's knock had included five fours and a six, which the fielder, seemingly blinded by the setting sun on the day of the summer solstice at wide long on, got his hands to, but was only able to spill it over the boundary.

That was one of just two maximums in the Horspath innings, though. Will Hawtin (17) hit the other when he slapped a six on to the Village Hall in the 14th over, but the home side were unable to register a boundary of any kind in the next four overs as the visitors fought back to set up an exciting finish.

Johnson-Coleman (2-28) was the most successful of a tidy Tiddington bowling unit, while Matt Maule and Bradley Rose, with 1-22 apiece, were the most economical.

Horspath's bowlers had the upper hand in Tiddington's innings with Charlie Turner (2-15) and Josh Richardson (2-28) to the fore, while Amin Rafiq and Smith both took 1-17.

Will Goodman top-scored for the visitors with 38 from 46 balls, while Nathan Brooks chipped in with 22 and Johnson-Coleman smashed two of his side's four sixes in a rapid 18.

Horspath bid to make it two wins out of two next Tuesday when they visit Aston Rowant, who lost their opening game at Oxford Downs by five wickets.

Posted by: Russ

Horspath open T20 campaign at home to Tiddington

2022-06-20T11:04:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH open their challenge in the Hartwell Senior Cup (formerly Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup) against Tiddington at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday (June 21).

The county's T20 tournament has returned to a two-tier competition for 2022 to provide smaller clubs an opportunity to play at Wormsley on Finals Day (Saturday, September 17).

Tyrone Eyles sweeps during last year's semi-final
defeat by Aston Rowant. Picture: Rob Judges

Clubs have been allocated to each competition for this season based on their performance in last year's tournament when Horspath reached the Bernard Tollett semi-finals, going down by one run at home to Aston Rowant in a thriller.

The 10 clubs competing for the Hartwell Senior Cup have been divided into two pools of five teams as geographically based as possible playing each other once.

Horspath are in Pool 2 alongside Aston Rowant, Challow & Childrey, Oxford Downs and Tiddington. Pool 1 consists of holders Banbury, Bicester & North Oxford, Cropredy, Cumnor and Oxford. The winners of each pool will qualify for the final.

Meanwhile, 11 clubs line up in the Wilf Bennett Cup played under the same format.

Pool 1 is made up of Faringdon & District, Langford, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Witney Mills and Witney Swifts. Pool 2 features Brackley, Charlbury, IAS, Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts, Oxenford and Sandford St Martin.

HARTWELL SENIOR CUP

(Horspath fixtures)

June 21 v Tiddington (h). June 28 v Aston Rowant (a). July 5 v Oxford Downs (h). July 19 v Challow & Childrey (a).

Posted by: Russ

Horspath match abandoned after Jehan suffers injury

2022-06-19T17:05:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH'S Jehan Mohammed suffered a nasty neck injury while fielding which led to the abandonment of the Home Counties Premier League Division 2 game against Chesham at the Recreation Ground.

The popular all-rounder fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground as he took a catch at long on to dismiss Josh Drage off the bowling of skipper Patrick Foster as the match approached its conclusion.

Jehan Mohammed
was injured while
taking a catch

Jehan also suffered concussion and was attended to by teammates and officials while an ambulance was called, before being taken to the JR Hospital, Oxford, for X-rays.

Thankfully, the news of Jehan's condition today was upbeat with the club tweeting: "Pleased to report that Jehan's X-Ray overnight showed no structural damage, though is suffering from severe whiplash and muscle damage. Thanks to everyone who has sent their best wishes to him and we look forward to him back on the pitch with us soon."

In an earlier tweet the club said: "We'd like to thank the @CheshamCricket players for being so understanding and also everyone who tried to make Jehan feel as comfortable as possible."

The injury happened with the game intriguingly poised with second-placed Chesham on 119-4 from 22.3 of their allotted 34 overs chasing Horspath's 183-7 after the match had been shortened due to rain.

Jehan had starred with an unbeaten 45 from 38 balls to take Horspath to their final total off 40 overs after they had elected to bat.

The start of the innings was badly interrupted by rain with just four balls being bowled before the players came off the pitch for the first time, with the same scenario repeated after eight and 12 deliveries.

Play finally resumed after lunch and the home side had reached 91-3 with Rob Wight in good nick when he was run out for 33.

Jehan then played the leading role with seven fours in his unbeaten knock, while Charlie Haines (2-22) returned Chesham's best figures.

Max Smith struck an early blow in Chesham's innings by bowling skipper Matt Rance, but that only served to bring Richard Levi to the crease.

The former Northants batsman was soon peppering the boundaries, making 43 from 29 balls with four fours and four sixes - including one which ended up in the overflow car park - before he was caught at long off by Jimmy Phillips off Foster to make it 74-2.

Horspath's captain struck again to remove opener Henry Moore for a patient 23 and leave Chesham 101-3, before the game came to its premature finish with Jehan's injury.

The wicket gave Foster figures of 3-27 to set up a potentially exciting conclusion, but that counted for little as Jehan was attended to. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.

Posted by: Russ

Oakley and Hicks shine as Horspath 3rd march on

2022-06-19T17:03:00.001+01:00

ED Oakley took 6-50 and skipper Ryan Hicks hit an unbeaten 69 as Horspath 3rd made it four successive wins in Cherwell League Division 3A with a three-wicket victory at Bledlow Ridge.

Oakley bowled with great consistency of line and length to send the home side crashing to 137 all out after being put in to bat.

Ed Oakley starred
with a spell of 6-50

His excellent figures came off 17 overs, which included six maidens, and were his best return for Horspath - although some way short of the 9-39 he took for Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts in 2009.

He struck four times to reduce Ridge to 32-5 after Hicks made the initial breakthrough, before Bledlow's lower order rallied with Hamzah Ahmed smashing a breezy 47. Oakley added two more victims, while Stuart Berry and Joe Gibbs were the other wicket-takers.

Horspath were in trouble at 14-3 and 33-4 as Mark Dakin (4-52) made early inroads. But then Hicks took centre stage with an excellent knock to steer the visitors to victory at 141-7.

He received early support from Lukas Yendole (24), but as wickets continue to fall at the other end, Hicks was unflustered and continued to bat fluently with his runs coming off 70 balls, which included 12 fours.

Horspath 2nd's game at Division 2 leaders Brackley was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Horspath 4th slid to an eight-wicket defeat at home to second-placed Challow & Childrey 2nd in Division 5C.

Skipper Craig Wharton was the only Horspath batsman to show any resistance with 37 at the top of the order as the hosts were bowled out for 108 after being put in to bat. Alex Dawson (5-25) and Adam Farmer (3-15) did the damage.

Euan Barrett and Chris Hotchen took early wickets in Challow's innings, before the visitors swept to victory at 109-2 with Alex Lynch hammering an unbeaten 65 and opener Mike Konschel making an unbeaten 28.

Posted by: Russ

Horspath Women Victorious at Abingdon Festival

2022-06-17T19:20:00.001+01:00

Horspath Women's team triumphed in the Abingdon Vale softball tournament with an unbeaten 5 out of 5 games. Other teams participating in the tournament were Abingdon Vale, Steventon, Eynsham and Freeland.

This was a well-deserved win, as a result of outstanding performances from each player. Our strong batting team put a high score on the board, with star performances from hard-hitters Michelle, Ann, Tracey and Irum, putting the opposition in difficulty.

Mhairi, Saba, and Kehkashan were especially tight in the field, saving boundaries as well as securing successful run outs. Their excellent bowling put pressure on each batting pair, taking important wickets time and time again. While our phenomenal wicket keeper Tracey had her eye on the prize from the beginning catching and stumping effortlessly in each game. Last but certainly not least, a big thank you to our captain, Irum, for guiding and motivating us all from beginning to end. Each individual played amazingly well.

Thank you to Abingdon Vale CC for organising such an enthralling tournament with plenty of excellent cricket on display. Horspath women's team hope to secure many more wins this coming season.

Posted by: Munaza

Foster's superb all-round show steers Horspath to victory

2022-06-13T09:30:00.001+01:00

CAPTAIN Patrick Foster produced a terrific all-round display to steer Horspath to a four-wicket win at Cumnor in Home Counties Premier League Division 2.

The skipper took 4-33 as Cumnor were bowled out for 138 after deciding to bat, before seeing the visitors through a mid-innings wobble with an unbeaten 59 to secure victory.

Patrick Foster starred with bat and ball

The win in the first of the timed games sees Horspath move up three places to sixth in the table - the side's highest position this season.

Tight opening spells from Will Eason, who made an early breakthrough, and Max Smith saw Horspath on top as Cumnor's batsmen found runs hard to come by.

Former Horspath batsman Sulaiman Hussain and Sam Cross took the score to 48 before both fell within the space of two balls. Amin Rafiq had Hussain caught by Elliot Ruff for 23, before Foster found the edge of Cross's bat and wicketkeeper Will Hawtin accepted the chance with the Cumnor opener having made 20.

Skipper William Bull and Harry Ackland moved Cumnor on to 89 when Lloyd Belcher struck in the last over before lunch by removing the Cumnor captain with Ruff taking his second catch.

It sparked a massive collapse when play resumed with six wickets going down for just 11 runs as Foster joined left-arm spinner Belcher to rip through the hosts' batting with the pair picking up four wickets apiece.

Cumnor had crashed to 100-9, and it was only a last-wicket stand of 38 between Tom Lydford Brace (18) and George Bacon which took them to their final total.

Foster's wickets came off 17.3 overs and included six maidens, while Belcher finished with 4-29 from 16 overs. Eason (1-16) and Rafiq (1-20) were the other wicket-takers.

Ruff was making a welcome return to the Horspath batting line-up, and he gave the run chase early impetus. He had made a fluent 33 when he was caught by Ackland off Andrew Roberts to make it 44-2.

That triggered a mini collapse with three wickets going down for 12 runs as Cumnor suddenly sensed a chance at 56-4. But Foster joined Smith to steady the ship in a fifth-wicket stand of 82 to take Horspath to the brink of victory.

Horspath's captain scored freely, while Smith dug in as the pair reached tea at 99-4. Following the resumption, Foster kept up the pace, hitting three boundaries in the 41st over with the second one taking him to an excellent half-century.

The scores were level when Smith's defiant knock came to an end, caught behind by Bull off Ackland for 21, and Horspath lost another wicket off the next ball before Hawtin hit the winning run to secure victory at 139-6 in the 43rd over. Foster's runs came off 66 balls with nine fours and a six.

Horspath will be looking to build on this victory next Saturday when they entertain second-placed Chesham, who crashed to a 143-run defeat at home to Harefield.

Posted by: Russ

Horspath 2nd beaten despite Javaid and Betts's efforts

2022-06-13T09:28:00.001+01:00

SUBAN Javaid claimed his first five-wicket haul and Tom Betts hit a maiden half-century - but it couldn't save Horspath 2nd from a 59-run defeat at home to Buckingham 2nd in Cherwell League Division 2.

Javaid returned figures of 5-47 from 14 overs as the visitors posted 258-8 after electing to bat.

First loss in
five games

He struck twice as Buckingham were reduced to 43-3, before Brian Joseph (89) and skipper Steve Beck (58) put on 121 for the fourth wicket. Joseph's runs came off 78 balls with 15 fours and a six, while Beck faced 60 deliveries and hit seven boundaries and two sixes.

Erasmus Du Toit, with 2-59 from 17 overs, supported Javaid, who returned to the attack to complete his haul, but Horspath were still faced with a formidable target as they attempted to stretch their four-match winning run.

Acting skipper Joey Todd and Christopher Hofen got their reply off to a good start with 69 for the first wicket, before the former fell for 41.

Hofen also made 41 as Horspath reached 129-3 with Betts in good form. He reached his fifty with the side 170-4, but Horspath then collapsed to 199 all out with Faiz Idris unable to bat due to injury.

Betts was left unbeaten on 68 from 76 balls, which included seven fours and a six, as James Gear (6-29) did the damage with the innings featuring six lbw victims.

Despite the defeat, Horspath remain third ahead of next Saturday's trip to unbeaten leaders Brackley.

Posted by: Russ

Horspath 3rd reel off third straight win in a thriller

2022-06-13T09:27:00.001+01:00

HORSPATH 3rd made it three straight wins in Cherwell League Division 3A with a thrilling one-wicket victory at home to Stokenchurch.

Having bowled out the visitors for 198, Horspath edged home at 201-9 with Ed Oakley (13no) and Josh Cummings at the crease.

Dan Todd shone with 56

Opener Dan Todd had set the home side on the way with 56 off 68 balls, which included 10 fours, before the hosts were pegged back.

Skipper Ryan Hicks (36) and Chris Jones (32) got Horspath back on track, but wickets tumbled to Arshad Latif (4-48), and it took the last pair to see the home side over the line off the first ball of the 50th over.

Earlier, Stuart Berry had taken 4-24 to hold Stokenchurch in check.

His haul included opener Syed Kazmi, who smashed 50 from 39 deliveries with nine fours and a six, and Hasnain Arshad (33).

Alex Jackson (2-39) and Oakley (2-58) were also among the wickets.

The win moves the side up to eighth place.

Posted by: Russ