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Horspath 4th crowned champions in double delight

05 Sep 2023

HORSPATH 4th celebrated a double after adding the Cherwell League Division 6A title to their Steve Dixon Memorial Cup triumph with a four-wicket win at home to Bletchley Town 2nd on a dramatic final day of the season.
Craig Wharton's side went into the last round of fixtures in second place, but leapfrogged Watlington to claim the title after the leaders suffered a shock 62-run defeat at home to Bledlow Ridge 2nd.
Horspath bowled Bletchley out for 176 after putting them in to bat, before Azlan Sharif (53) and Tom Smith (46) set Horspath on the way to victory at 178-6.
Opener Thushan Suresh (54) and Luke Geogheghan (30) provided the backbone of Bletchley's innings as the wickets were shared around with Sammy Parker (2-23) and Sharif (2-37) to the fore, while Tom Smith took 2-10 at the death.
Robin Pykett picked up 1-22 from his nine overs to finish as the side's leading wicket-taker with 27 victims, also making the veteran left-arm spinner the club's top wicket-taker in league cricket this season.
Wharton, the side and club's top runscorer this term, started the day requiring 31 to reach 500 for the season, but missed out on the milestone in Horspath's run chase when he fell for 18, taking his tally to 487.
However, Sharif, with his fourth fifty of the campaign, and Smith combined to steer Horspath towards their target.
Sharif hit nine fours and a six before he was dismissed in unusual fashion, given out obstructing the field. Chris Jones (21) and Archie Lewins (17) then chipped in to help Horspath over the line.
With victory secured the players retired to the clubroom where the news filtered through of Watlington's surprise loss, leaving Horspath champions by 11 points to set the seal on a memorable season.