Stead's half-century in vain for Horspath 2nd

OPENER Jamie Stead's second successive half-century proved in vain as Horspath 2nd fell to a four-wicket defeat at home to Banbury 2nd in Cherwell League Division 1. Stead followed up his 66 in the previous week's win at Cumnor with exactly 50 from 99 balls, which included nine fours, as Horspath were bowled out for 224 after being put in to bat. With the match reduced to 48 overs a side due to rain, James Earnshaw chipped in with 27, while Horspath were indebted for their final total to a late flourish from skipper Mark Skelton, who smashed four sixes and three fours in his 43 from 42 deliveries. Richard Simpson (3-24) and George Tait (3-45) were Banbury's most successful bowlers. Tom Bartlett hit a rapid 28 to get Banbury's run chase off to a flying start, before Ollie Morgan, who made 52 off 65 balls with one six and seven fours, and Tait (43) maintained the momentum. Earnshaw (3-42) and Jehan Mohammed (2-32) pegged Banbury back, but Mark Pallett (24no) made sure they got over the line at 225-6 with 2.2 overs to spare. Horspath 3rd slipped to the bottom of Division 4 with a 52-run defeat at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd. Having elected to bowl, Horspath restricted Shipton to 197-8 with Ed Oakley taking 3-45 as Ian Lewis (38) and Jamie Nelson (30) led the way for the visitors. However, Horspath were then bowled out for 145 depsite Craig Wharton making 41 with Paul Hemming (6-32) and Robert Panting (4-55) doing the damage. Opener Mike Naylor's unbeaten 68 couldn't save Horspath 4th from a four-wicket defeat at Horley 2nd in Division 7. Naylor's patient knock took Horspath to 175-6 after they had been put in to bat. He shared a first-wicket stand of 67 with David Wells (26), before Paul Hicks weighed in with 40 as Julian Wright and Savi Sangha took two wickets apiece. But it didn't prove enough as openers Sam Pearce (46) and Andrew Parker (30) put on 79 to set Horley on the way to victory. Youngsters Luke Heritage (2-16) and Alfie Turner (2-54) bowled well for Horspath, while stand-in skipper Hayden Moon took 1-13 from ten accurate overs, but Simon Cox (29) steered the hosts towards their target, before they claimed victory at 176-6.

Posted by: Russ