Dazzling Dom delivers back-to-back tons

Dom O'Connor

DOMINIC O'Connor made it back-to-back centuries in Cherwell League Division 1 with a superb unbeaten 121 - but it couldn't save Horspath 2nd from a six-wicket defeat at Dinton.

O'Connor, who hit an unbeaten 102 in the nine-wicket win over Long Marston a week earlier, carried on where he left off with another terrific ton from 170 balls to take Horspath to 234-5 after they had been put in to bat. Surviving one missed stumping chance on 70, he was supported by Stephen Green (27), Tom King (23) and Jehan Mohammed (22), who all got in without going on to make significant contributions.

Openers Faisal Ali (46) and Ashley Smith (32) got Dinton's run chase off to a good start, before Philip Arnold (76no) and former Horspath player Adam Mould (32no) saw them home at 235-4, despite the efforts of Andy Cummings (2-47).

Graham Beer smashed a sparkling half-century as Horspath 3rd maintained their promotion push in Division 5 by getting the better off a rain-affected draw at Chearsley. Beer hit a quick-fire 65 and with Akheam Fox (45) and James Earnshaw (38) also in the runs, Horspath made 201-7 after being put in to bat in an innings reduced to 39 overs.

Chearsley replied with 130-5 from 35 overs, with Tom Whitelaw (67) and Marc Hignall (50) thwarting any hopes Horspath had of forcing a victory. The 15 points garnered from the draw sees Robin Pykett's team remain in second place, 13 points behind Thame Town 2nd and six points ahead of Abingdon Vale 2nd in third.

Horspath 4th slumped to an eight-wicket defeat at home to Division 7 leaders Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd, who clinched promotion with the victory. The hosts were bowled out for 110 after being put in to bat, before Nondies raced to 114-2 off 17.1 overs, with Alam Mohammed hammering an unbeaten 73.

Posted by: Russ