Horspath 2nd snatch thrilling victory

HORSPATH 2nd snatched a five-run victory from the jaws of a defeat in a thrilling Cherwell League Division 1 clash at Tiddington. Having been bowled out for 163, Horspath were up against it as Tiddington moved to 102-2 with Will Goodman making 52 and Matt Johnston 34. But then Jehan Mohammed (5-49) and Jack Biggs (4-38) sparked a dramatic collapse, which saw the home side bowled out for 158.

Jehan Mohammed 42 and 5-49

Needing seven to win off the last over bowled by Biggs with two wickets in hand, Tiddington fell short with Benny Madden caught behind by Joey Todd, before Jon Talbot was snapped up by Mark Skelton, who was nursing a shoulder injury, at square leg off the penultimate delivery.

Jehan's five-wicket haul completed an excellent all-round effort after he had top-scored in the Horspath innings with an unbeaten 42, while Stephen Green weighed in with 35. Ben Smith (4-50) and William Johnson-Coleman (3-49) did the damage for Tiddington.

Dan Todd (57no) and Luke Finch (51) hit half-centuries as Horspath 3rd raced to a seven-wicket win at Cumnor 2nd. Chasing the hosts' 183, they led the way in Horspath's 187-3 off 34 overs, with Chris Jones (30no) also in the runs. Stuart Berry (4-43) and James Earnshaw (3-42) had bowled well to peg back Cumnor after James Lee (40) and Michael Race (37) had given the hosts a good start, before Tom Smith (3-9) polished off the tail.

Horspath 4th skipper Carl Thompson smashed an unbeaten 56 in a resounding ten-wicket home win over Oxford 4th in Division 7. Thompson, whose knock included six fours and three sixes, was joined by Derek Watts (33no) in an unbroken first-wicket stand of 120 as victory was secured off 23.1 overs. Earlier, Trevor Spindler had taken 4-12 in Oxford's 116 all out, Nick Warry top-scoring with 35.

Posted by: Russ