Welcome to Horspath Cricket Club

We are a friendly village club set in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside, 5 miles south east of Oxford. We combine a congenial social atmosphere with a high standard of competitive cricket. With four Saturday sides in Divisions 1, 6, 7 and 10 of The MP Sports Cherwell League from the 2010 season, a team in the nPower Village Cup in the Thames & Chilterns Sunday League and Sunday friendly sides, a large and thriving Youth Section aged 8 - 17 and a busy social programme we have something for everyone. Come and join us if you like playing or watching cricket or have children who would like to learn the game. Click here to read our general membership brochure.

A look back at 2009 - No.15: Tom Murray

Monday February 8th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on last season.

 

Most Memorable Moment: winning the 'prestigious' Tom Murray cup for the 3rd year running - plus ANY wicket taken for any Horspath team.
Worst Moment: being last man to fall against Cumnor in the pitch black at Exeter College.
Best Away Tea: Bletchley was OK, no match for Horspath teas though.
Toughest Opponent: we shouldn't be finding anyone tough in divisions 6 and 7.
Best Umpire: anyone who give me an LBW! It NEVER pitches outside leg!!
Sum up season in 10 words: time to forget 2009...2010 we're going to nail it!

Tony Richards

Thursday February 4th: We are shocked and saddened to report the death earlier this week of Tony Richards.

 

Tony was a good friend and supporter of the Club through his generous sponsorship and for his Annual "Builders" cricket match which was always a highlight for the fun and humour it generated off the pitch as well as on it.

 

Our thoughts are with Sue, and Tony's daughters Alison, Kate and Claire.

 

The funeral will be at 4.00pm on Friday 12th February at Oxford Crematorium.

 

Horspath Parish Council notice

Thursday February 4th: The Parish Council and Horspath Village Sports Association are holding an open meeting on Tuesday February 16th at 8pm to review the way the Village Hall is managed in future. Read more here.

Coming Soon: Indoor Nets & Circuit Training

Tuesday February 2nd: Indoor nets will start on Sunday 28th February 2010 at Magdalen College School, from 7pm to 8pm for the U13's and U15's and from 8pm to 9.30pm for the U17's and adults. This will be for FIVE weeks, then we will move to outdoor training after Easter.

 

From Monday March 1st, for four Mondays, we will have circuit training indoors at the Village Hall from 7pm to 8pm for the U17's and adults.

 

Indoor training for the U9's and U11's will be on Sunday, starting on 28th February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and then from 5pm to 6pm for the next FOUR weeks.

 

Letter no.16 from the Mighty Unhappy Blue

Monday February 1st: Oh dear, oh dear. It's worse this week than last!

Read all about it here.

A look back at 2009 - No.14: Alister Gibbins

Sunday January 31st: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: the smell walking into the changing rooms for the first time....seriously can someone please get the dead cat wrapped in grass clippings out of the ceiling!
Worst Moment: getting out to the opposition's worst bowler EVERY week (though technically half of them threw it so my average should be doubled!)
Best Away Tea: not Bicester, what's their deal? To be honest once Sandra's efforts have been tasted nothing is ever going to be the same again...
Toughest Opponent: the tall spinner for Cumnor (that throws it), gets a lot of late drop.
Best Umpire: errr, best make no comment.
Sum up season in 10 words: Enjoyable times, best club, few more sit ups we win!

A look back at 2009 - No.13: Robbie Cooke

Wednesday January 27th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: coming in at 2-2 against Bicester & NO and then hitting an unbeaten partnership of 154 runs with Tom Holmes to win us the game.
Worst Moment: Krolly bowling me, around the wicket, up the hill and round my legs on Feast day!
Best Away Tea: Bicester & NO's chips and doughnuts - a real two fingers salute to the 5-a-day rule!
Toughest Opponent: Ned's middle class foot.
Worst Umpire: Me - I mistakenly gave out Gazza lbw. Cropredy were literally shocked. Probably because everyone apart from me thought it was a mile down the leg side ....
Sum up season in 10 words: Youth. Talent. Cup finals. Gibbo. New Square. Pitchforks. B****y hell!

Letters from an unhappy Gibbo (No's.14 & 15)

Monday January 25th: Latest from the Gibbo, who is not at all happy, and I don't think it's entirely down to me forgetting to post letter no.14 that he sent me a week ago............................... Read both instalments from Tasmania here.

Umpires for 2010 - another reminder

Monday January 25th: We are still looking for several new faces to step forward next season. Our primary need remains for a fully qualified Umpire to represent us on the Cherwell League panel, plus ideally another 3 or 4 cover our 2nd's, 3rd's and 4th's on a Saturday and also to help with Sunday League, friendly and Youth matches too.

 

Fees are paid for Cherwell League match umpiring, increased to £40 for 2010, and the Club will pay towards the cost of training, if it's needed. Please contact jonathan@horspathcricket.com (07767 613322) ASAP if you're interested - or know anyone who is.

Uhuru Peak preferred to the Rec......what a shocker!!

Saturday January 23rd: On June 18th 2010 Tom Holmes, his girlfriend Emily Goodwin and Matty Herman will be on the plane en route to Nairobi airport to then catch a 7 hour bus to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, getting ready to begin their 10 day hike up to the 5,895m high Uhuru Peak at the top of the mountain. The reason they're taking up this challenge is to raise money for a charity called Childreach International. In order to take part they need sponsorship and this is where we need the help of the generous people at the ‘Path to help out!

 

Childreach works across Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and India, with theaim of allowing every child to reach their potential through providing tools and skills to make communities self sufficient.

 

Childreach website: www.childreach.org.uk

Tom’s sponsorship page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/tomholmeskili

Emily’s sponsorship page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/emilygoodwinkili

Matty’s sponsorship page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/mattyherman

Any questions email tomholmes@hotmail.co.uk

Another Mighty Blue for 2010

Saturday January 23rd: Along with the return of the Gibbo for the new season, we will also welcome 21-year old Sam Hay to The Rec. A middle order batsman, Sam also bowls some spin and is an excellent fielder with a very strong arm. Unlike Gibbo, who will concentrate on coaching in 2010, Sam will qualify for MP Sports Cherwell League selection and while he's struggled a little bit for runs in Tasmania this season, Alister has confidence in him to do well here and is sure he will fit in.

 

A look back at 2009 - No.12: Andy Cummings

Friday January 22nd: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: winning Village Cup semi-final against Cumnor.
Worst Moment: losing to Aston Rowant in Village Cup Final.
Best Away Tea: Sandford St Martin.
Toughest Opponent: My Mrs.
Best Umpire: Mick Stockwell (except for Bicester in the rain!!).
Sum up season in 10 words: Great fun! Great fun! Great fun! Great fun! Great fun!

 

U11's and U13's Coaching Courses

Tuesday January 19th: Attached courses being held by two Sport & Coaching degree students that may be of interest to our younger players. Read more HERE.

 

New Kit Supplier for 2010/2011: Gray-Nicolls

Monday January 18th: We have now finalised our arrangements and negotiations with our principal and main sponsors for the next 2 seasons and, encouragingly, with 5 weeks to go we have now secured just over 40 player sponsors too out of the 60 we are targeting.

 

Thanks to the continued support of our current sponsors, and the new sponsors we've managed to attract, we will be able to provide a lot more kit free of charge for players this coming season.

 

Headlines of the new kit arrangement with Gray-Nicolls (www.gray-nicolls.co.uk), who will also be a Club sponsor in 2010 and 2011, are:-

 

ALL youth & adult players will receive a FREE playing shirt and t-shirt (these will carry the club badge aswell as Oxford Marquees, Finders Keepers and one other sponsor logo to be confirmed).

 

ALL those who play regular U17's & adult cricket will additionally receive a FREE training shirt, training shorts and (subject to player sponsorship targets being met) a tracksuit (top & bottoms).

 

What I do need ASAP please, is confirmation of the sizes you would like your kit in.

If you've played U17's or adult cricket and have not yet had an email from me regarding sizes, please contact me - jonathan@horspathcricket.com OR 07767 613322.

 

Many thanks, PoP

 

A look back at 2009 - No.11: Stu Berry

Monday January 18th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: scoring 59no for the 2's at Wolverton to help win the game.
Worst Moment: losing to Oxford IV at home after racking up 283 for 5 declared (see story below!!).
Best Away Tea: Wolverton (although disappointed no roast potatoes this year!).
Toughest Opponent: Didcot
Best Umpire: Chap at Great Tew who gave me an lbw on half an appeal.
Sum up season in 10 words: Unlucky really, just need to win a few more tosses.

 

Jones is first new signing for 2010

Friday January 15th: A big welcome to Chris Jones, who has confirmed he will play his cricket at The Rec in 2010. He joined Oxford & Horspath in 2001 and has spent the last 6 years with Oxford playing in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th XI’s. He considers himself a batsmen first and foremost, who is also more than useful behind the stumps.

 

Adrian Manger, our 2nd XI Captain for most of 2009, still has recurring nightmares about July 4th 2009. Having won the toss and batted, he saw Matt O'Connor's 137no form the foundation of our 283 for 5 declared but he did not count on Chris, the Oxford 4th’s wicketkeeper/batsman that day, scoring a swashbuckling 93 (supported by A Hall and Mursaleen Sadiqi who chipped in with 60's each) to see Oxford 4th’s to 25pts with their 284 for 6!!

 

I am sure we will all give Chris a proper Horspath welcome when he joins us either for pre-season circuit training in the next few weeks, or at indoor nets from the end of February.

Barbados Cricket Tour - March 2011

Tuesday January 12th: We need more interest on the playing side for the above - and indeed from anyone else who wants to go - but we don't have too many players currently.

 

We have a new price now, £1,655 per person, based on 2 adults sharing a beachside studio at the Escape at the Gap on an "all inclusive basis". This is for a minimum booking of 26, anyone booking after the first group will not get as good a price as that. We cannot be sure, either, how long the rooms and flights at this price will last so please get your names to Hammy ASAP (anne.hamiliton@ntlworld.com) and your £150 deposit.

 

The tour date this is based on is Monday March 14th 2011 for 14 nights, flying Virgin from London Gatwick.

Letter from a snowless Gibbo (No.13)

Tuesday January 12th: Latest from Gibbo, with no news of any snowball fights at The Mighty Blues............ Read here.

 

2010 Fixtures - ALL now updated

Sunday January 10th: All of The MP Sports Cherwell League fixtures for our 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI's are now updated under the "Adult Cricket" tab and the 4th XI ones will be there as soon as we've added a new section to the "Adult Cricket" menu.

 

The remaining Adult Fixtures are also updated in the three other sections under "Adult Cricket" - Competitions (nPower Village Cup and MP Sports Cherwell Cup), Sunday League (Thames & Chilterns Sunday League) and Sunday Friendly (all other matches, incl. Tour matches).

 

PoP

The MP Sports Cherwell League - 2010 Fixtures now out

Saturday January 9th: The fixtures have now been finalised for the upcoming season, and we will get them all up on the website in the next few days. Our games for the opening day of the 2010 season on Saturday May 8th are:

1st's: HOME to Bourton Vale

2nd's: AWAY to Bourton Vale 2nd's

3rd's: HOME to Oxford 5th's

4th's: AWAY to Oxford 6th's

Ken Shepherd - Birthday Bash *Postponed*

Friday January 8th: Due to the current weather, and the forecast for Sunday being equally poor, the celebration of Ken's birthday has been postponed.

P o P

Ken Shepherd - a Birthday Reminder

Thursday January 7th: Please come along to the Club on Sunday January 10th to join us, with Ken's family, in a celebration of his birthday.

P o P

A look back at 2009 - No.10: Ned Murray

Thursday January 7th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: Lee 007 Mason bowling out Buckingham at the Rec
Worst Moment: 'Forkgate'
Best Away Tea: Bletchley Town
Toughest Opponent: James Sprittles, Bletchley Town
Best Umpire: Andy Grose
Sum up season in 10 words: Middle class people do not do manual labour, b****y hell!

A look back at 2009 - No.9: Adam Thompson

Monday January 4th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: Taking my 15th wicket to make it into the 2010 Cherwell League Handbook. What a catch Sam Watts!!
Worst Moment: Losing the final game of the season and missing out on 2nd place.
Best Away Tea: Bletchley.
Toughest Opponent: Big Gus at Cumnor.
Best Umpire: Dean Holmes.
Sum up season in 10 words: Great season, shame we couldn't go up - come on 2nd's..... lol

Ken Shepherd - Penblwydd Hapus!

Friday January 1st: Please come along to the Club on Sunday January 10th to join us, with Ken's family, in a celebration of his birthday.

P o P

Happy New Year!

Thursday December 31st: To all our sponsors, members, players, volunteers and spectators - thank you for all your support and efforts that made it such a great year for the Club, both on and off the cricket ground. Here's to a promotion packed, trophy laden, new square christened 2010!!

P o P

A look back at 2009 - No.8: Will Eason

Tuesday December 29th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: Defending 110 against Bletchley down at St Caths was a great achievement.
Worst Moment: Village Cup Final. Enough said.................
Best Away Tea: Bletchley wasn't bad, to be fair.
Toughest Opponent: Keith Arnold.
Best Umpire: Rob Jennings.
Sum up season in 10 words: The best team in the League only finished third unfortunately.

Letter from Santa Gibbo (No.12)

Tuesday December 22nd: Latest from Gibbo on his sleigh............ Read here.

Barbados Cricket Tour - **late Feb/Mar 2011**

Sunday December 20th: Due to issues with availability for some people in April 2011, Hammy is looking to revise the dates of the Tour, bringing them forward to late February or March 2011. Please add your name either to the list on the Clubroom noticeboard or email Hammy at anne.hamiliton@ntlworld.com. It is proposed that the list will close on 31st Jan 2010.

A look back at 2009 - No.7: Adam Krol

Wednesday December 16th: Latest in our regular feature, with Players answering the following six questions on the season just ended.

 

Most Memorable Moment: Home win vs Buckingham, a cheeky 50 for myself after a bad run and a massive 25 points to start our title push.
Worst Moment: Away at Bicester, both personally and for the team, the title could have been ours...
Best Away Tea: I was a big fan of Banbury XX.
Toughest Opponent: Philip Evans.
Best Umpire: Les Burry.
Sum up season in 10 words: Great progression for all sides, promotion for all next year!!

For full archive of news items click here