Faizaan powers Horspath u15s to second consecutive victory in thriller against Cumnor

Tense game under dramatic skies

Faizaan Abbas smashed a cracking 49* to guide Horspath to victory in a very tight game against Cumnor.

Batting first, the Path scored a creditable 121 for 5 from their 20 overs.

After the opening trio of Turner, Anand and Khan had added runs without really getting going, Faisan came to the wicket and added some muscle to the innings. He hit 8 good boundaries in his 49 from 32 balls and batted well with Wakefield and Heritage to get the Path a decent score and put Cumnor under pressure from the start. Horspath's quick running and decisive calling worked well throughout the side and contributed decisively to the scoreboard pressure.

The Horspath bowling and fielding was tight from the start with pressure applied from attacking fielding and good backing up. Charlie and Harvey opened the bowling and were soon restricting the Cumnor openers to nothing more than blocks. Charlie's third over was a wicket maiden as he finished with 1-10 from 4.

Elliot and Alfie then picked up the bowling mantle and continued the pattern of tying the batsmen down. Alfie claimed 3-18 from his 4 overs. Jamie and Josh then came on and ensured that Cumnor's players would have to work really hard for any runs. Jamie claimed the vital wicket of Blakey (bowled) just as Cumnor looked like they might be beginning to get on top.

Luke also got in on the act by claiming a vital wicket from the very last ball. The Cumnor opener had just retired on 50 after hitting a massive 6 to long on and the pressure was on the Horspath boys to keep their heads. Cumnor needed 5 from 4 and then 3 from 2 and then 2 from the last ball... Luke strode up and put the ball on a sixpence - the batsman swang heartily at the ball, missed and the Path skipper, Tejas, was there to settle the game with an excellent stumping.

An enthralling game and a fine win for the boys.

Scorecard

Posted by: Neillsen/Andy