HORSPATH withstood a whirlwind century from Oxford Downs's George Sandbach to record a 24-run home win in their opening South Group clash in the new-look Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup. Having posted a highly respectable 201-8 in the Twenty20 tie, Horspath encountered a super-charged Sandbach, who threatened to single-handedly bring his side victory. Sandbach blasted a brilliant 112 off just 54 balls with six sixes and 13 fours. But when the big-hitting left-hander was caught by James Fitzjohn on the mid-wicket boundary off Tom Cosford in the 15th over to leave Downs 163-4 it signalled the end of the visitors' challenge. Horspath conceded just 14 more runs as Downs finished on 177-9, with skipper Will Eason picking up 3-9, while off-spinner Cosford shone with 2-14 from his four overs and Lloyd Belcher ended with 2-24 following a double-wicket maiden in the penultimate over. Earlier, Cosford had got Horspath's innings off to a flying start by smashing 72 from 42 balls with five sixes and nine fours. The run rate subsided following his dismissal, before Mark Skelton ensured Horspath finished with a flourish by cracking four maximums and five boundaries in an unbeaten 50 off just 19 deliveries. With Ian Slatcher joining in the fun, the pair took 29 off the penultimate over to fire the hosts towards a match-winning total as Amin Rafiq finished with 4-48. Horspath continue their challenge away to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts next week.
Posted by: Russ
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