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Trio's fifties fire Horspath 3rd into Airey Cup final

07 Aug 2023

CRACKING half-centuries from brothers Charlie and Alfie Turner and Rayaan Dogar saw Horspath 3rd sweep aside Oxenford by 190 runs in their rearranged Airey Cup semi-final at the Recreation Ground.
The trio tucked into Oxenford's bowling as Horspath posted a daunting 272-9 off 38 overs after electing to bat in the competition for Cherwell League Tier 3 and 4 sides, before blowing away the visitors for 82.
Now Ryan Hicks's side can look forward to facing Banbury 3rd - who hammered holders Hook Norton by nine wickets - in the final at Didcot on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28.
It will be the first time in 32 years Horspath have featured in the final of the prestigious competition, having lifted the trophy eight times including in 1991 - their last season in the OCA before joining the Trinity League.
With the Cherwell being joined by the OCA's clubs in 2021, it has provided a path back into the event with the latter's cup competitions being played for as part of the league structure.
And Horspath 3rd have certainly relished the opportunity this season with two superb batting displays.
Alfie Turner shone with a brilliant 112 in the quarter-final win at Kidlington, and he continued his fine run of form in partnership with brother Charlie as the pair put on 151 for the second wicket against Oxenford.
They had taken the score to 96-1 in the 16th over when a sharp shower brought a brief halt to play and saw the match reduced to 38 overs a side.
Charlie was the first to fifty when play resumed with an edge down to the third man boundary by the nets, which also brought up the century partnership.
Alfie then went to his half-century with a delicate late cut for four as the duo continued to pile up the runs.
Charlie brought up the 150 partnership in style with a six over long on towards the scout hut, but his dashing knock came to an end off the next delivery when he pulled a full toss from Waqas Mir into square leg's hands to make it 151-2. He had made 76 off just 49 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.
Without addition to the score, Alfie was caught behind by Div Puri off the second ball of the next over bowled by Muhammed Usman for 56 from 77 deliveries with six fours.
Dogar ensured there was no let-up for Oxenford, though, by blasting 50 off 27 balls with four boundaries and three sixes.
He completed an impressive half-century with a square cut for a single, before he was bowled by Khurshid Khan.
Mohson Rana chipped in with a breezy 28 to steer Horspath towards their final total.
Charlie Turner (2-27) then got Horspath off to a dream start with the ball by hitting the stumps with the first delivery of Oxenford's innings and with Josh Cummings (2-28) also getting in on the act, the visitors were in disarray at 29-4.
Only Puri provided any resistance with 39, which included two sixes and a four which skipped over the boundary rope and through the open glass doors into the clubhouse much to the delight of the raucous Sunday lunchtime crew.
Jason Cardy accounted for Puri, while Hicks mopped up the lower order to return splendid figures of 4-11, before Alfie Turner claimed the final wicket.
The only downside for Horspath was Andy Cummings suffering a nasty finger injury while fielding, which required treatment at Abingdon Community Hospital.
In the other semi-final, hosts Hook Norton were shot out for 55 by Banbury 3rd, who coasted to 56-1 off 11.1 overs.
Meanwhile, Horspath 4th will face holders Bledlow Ridge 2nd in the Steve Dixon Memorial Cup final at Fringford on Sunday, August 20.
The Bucks club booked their place in the decider with a 74-run win at Horley 2nd in the semi-final of the competition for Tier 6 sides.
Bledlow posted 185-4 off 36 overs after being put in to bat, before bowling Horley out for 111.
In total, Horspath have now reached a remarkable five finals days this season.
The club won the Oxfordshire final of the Voneus Village Cup at Tiddington in June and as well as the two Cherwell competitions, they are also through to the Hartwell Senior Cup final against Oxford at Wormsley on Sunday, September 17, while the Under 19s have booked their place at the Oxfordshire League finals day at Horspath on Sunday, August 20.