Easons stand firm before rain saves Horspath

BROTHERS Robbie and Will Eason's salvage operation allied to heavy rain saw Horspath escape with a draw from their Home Counties Premier League Division 1 trip to High Wycombe. Things were looking decidedly bleak for Horspath after they were put in to bat on a damp, green pitch and were reduced to 55-6 with Xavier Owen ripping through the top order. The Durham MCCU seamer struck a double blow with the score on 16 by having Tom Coleman caught at first slip by Nathan Hawkes for ten, before trapping Dom O'Connor lbw first ball. Horspath had moved on to 27 when Owen repeated the dose with Jamie Stead chopping on to his stumps for ten, and two balls later James Fitzjohn left a delivery and was bowled for nought. It was soon 32-5 as Tom Cosford was caught at first slip by Hawkes off Jonathan Burden. A rain break before lunch, which resulted in both sides' overs allocation being reduced by five, gave Horspath some respite. But they were soon 55-6 after the resumption when Stephen Green was bowled by Alan Duncan for ten. However, skipper Will Eason then joined his brother, Robbie, to frustrate Wycombe. With the knowledge that rain was forecast, they dug in to put on 52 for the seventh wicket. Robbie had just hit Adam Dobb for a six over long on when he was caught at first slip by Hawkes off the off-spinner's next ball for 40 from 99 deliveries. Ian Slatcher then contributed a handy 20 before falling to a catch by Burden at mid-wicket off Conner Haddow to make it 144-8. Will Eason's stubborn resistance finally came to an end when he was caught behind by George Russell off the first ball off the last over bowled by Tom Hampton for 44 off 108 balls. It was left to Jamil Faruq and Lloyd Belcher to take Horspath to the close at 150-9 from 59 overs as Owen finished with 4-15 from 14 overs. Will Eason then bowled Henry Moore for nought with the fourth ball of Wycombe's innings. With the threat of rain, Hampton was promoted up the order to hit out and he survived two chances in making an unbeaten 31, while opener Ed Casterton was 33 not out with the hosts on 64-1 off 11.2 overs when the heavens opened and the game was abandoned as a draw with 70 overs having been completed. The result leaves Horspath sixth in the table.

Posted by: Russ