HORSPATH 4th pulled off a great escape from relegation in Cherwell League Division 5C - despite falling to a 22-run defeat at East Oxford 2nd, who clinched promotion as runners-up.
Never out of the bottom two all season, Horspath went into the final game in ninth place two points behind Clifton Hampden in eighth.
And although Craig Wharton's side were on the wrong end of the result against East Oxford, the 10 points they picked up from the defeat was enough to leapfrog above Clifton Hampden, who could muster only four points in a six-wicket loss to Dorchester.
Veteran left-arm spinner Robin Pykett starred for Horspath with his third five-wicket haul of the season as East Oxford were bowled out for 134 after being put in to bat.
Pykett returned stunning figures of 5-20, while teenager Josh Cummings picked up 3-13 as Ahmed (37) provided the only resistance.
However, Horspath also found runs hard to come by as they fell to 112 all out. Joe Parker (37) top-scored with Ali (4-30) and Shamad (3-22) doing the damage.
But despite this, Horspath had mustered enough bonus points to beat the drop.
Final table