OPENER Max Smith (pictured) compiled an excellent maiden Home Counties Premier League half-century as Horspath recorded their third straight win in Division 2 with a hard-fought 82-run victory at Amersham.
On a difficult batting pitch runs were at a premium at the picturesque Shardeloes ground and Smith's patient innings of 74 proved the difference between the sides.
As wickets fell around him, he stood firm to steer Horspath from a perilous 23-4 to 181 all out after the visitors were put in to bat.
Horspath then made the most of the favourable bowling conditions to send Amersham crashing to 99 all out.
Having started the day in third, the win saw the side cut the gap to second-placed Wargrave, who lost by 14 runs to leaders Harefield, to 26 points and keep the outside chances of promotion alive.
Smith was initially assisted by Tyrone Eyles in Horspath's fightback after Joseph Rance had ripped through the top order, but when he was bowled by Maduka Liyanapathiranage for 16 the visitors were still in trouble at 49-5.
Indeed, the situation appeared bleak as lunch arrived with Horspath 89-7 and Smith unbeaten on 38, which equalled his previous best Home Counties score made in the rearguard action at Thame Town two weeks ago.
But the lower order has come to the rescue on more than one occasion this season as the side had put together an unbeaten five-match run, and the tail supported Smith in guiding Horspath to what would prove a winning total.
This time it was Jehan Mohammed, who stepped up to the plate helping Smith, who brought up his half-century with a two in the 41st over, put on 65 for the eighth wicket.
Mohammed made a valuable 27 before he was trapped lbw by Amersham skipper Sam Helm to leave the visitors 154-8.
Lloyd Belcher added handy runs with Smith, before the former captain was caught behind by Robert Viney off Helm, who then ended Smith's marathon effort by bowling the Horspath opener to wrap up the innings in the 55th over.
Smith's terrific effort had seen him face 166 balls, which included nine fours. Helm finished with 4-50 from 17.3 overs, while Rance picked up 3-32 and Liyanapathiranage 3-33.
Horspath's bowling has been their strength this season and having put a score on the board on a tricky surface they sensed they were in with a real chance.
Opening with a mixture of Will Eason's seam and Imraan Manack's spin, the home side were soon in trouble as wickets tumbled.
Eason made the breakthrough in the third over by bowling Viney to leave Amersham 10-1 and added two more victims with Manack also chipping in to make it 34-4.
Skipper Patrick Foster then ripped the heart out of the Amersham batting with two wickets either side of tea, which saw the hosts 54-6. He struck in his second over when the dangerous Liyanapathiranage was caught by Eason, who would play a part in six dismissals with three catches added to his three wickets.
Foster was providing the Amersham batsman with all sorts of problems, and he claimed three more wickets capped by having Harsh Parmar lbw in a devastating spell, which at the time left him with figures of 4-3 off 6.3 overs.
Amersham were in disarray at 57-8. Harry Fanning and Helm provided some resistance before both fell to Belcher's left-arm spin to leave Horspath convincing winners.
Fanning top-scored for the home side with 28 - the next best score in the game after Smith's knock, emphasising the merit of his contribution for the visitors.
Foster finished with 4-31, while Eason returned figures of 3-28. Belcher (2-25) and Manack (1-12) were the other wicket-takers.
The league now reverts to the 50/50-over format with relegation-threatened Cumnor the visitors to the Recreation Ground next Saturday.
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