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Asad keeps Horspath marching on at top

30 Jun 2024

A devastating spell from Asad Rafiq set Horspath on the way to making it eight wins out of eight in Cherwell League Division 1 with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Aston Rowant at the Recreation Ground.

Asad's opening burst blew away Rowant's top order as he returned figures off 4-40 from 11 overs to send the visitors crashing to 99 all out after they had chosen to bat.

He bowled three of his victims and trapped the other lbw to send Rowant tumbling to 20-5.

With captain Will Eason sidelined by an ankle injury, Amin Rafiq took the reins and his brother delivered for him in style well supported by new ball partner Tyron Eyles (2-25).

Carrick Dunbar (27) and Chris North (23) attempted to repair the damage, but with Amin (1-13) joining the attack there was no way back and Jehan Mohammed, returning to the side following a hand injury, polished off the tail with 3-12.

Opener Jimmy Phillips (36) led the way in Horspath's reply before he fell two runs short of victory.

It was left to Lachlan Biggs (30no) to see the runaway leaders home at 104-3 with Josh Richardson clinching victory with a six off his second ball.

With second-placed Banbury 2nd losing to Cropredy, Horspath extended their lead at the top to a massive 53 points with Didcot now their nearest pursuers.

The side bid to maintain their 100 per cent record when they face East Oxford at Lincoln College Sports Ground next Saturday.

Horspath 2nd held out for a draw in a Division 2 game of fluctuating fortunes against Minster Lovell at Wash Meadow Recreation Ground.

The visitors had Minster in some trouble at 67-4 after putting them in to bat and removing opener James Mattinson for 36.

But Horspath were then frustrated by patient half-centuries from Connor Tinsley (59) and Caspar Mannix (55no), who shared a fifth-wicket stand of 76.

Captain Ryan Hicks (3-38) and fellow left-arm spinner Sam Leslie (2-48) pegged the home side back and a flurry of late wickets saw the innings close on 171-8.

Horspath slipped to 39-2 in reply with opener Dominic O'Connor making 27, before Dan Todd (33) and Dan Corner (32) put on 62 for the third wicket.

The side were well placed at 101-2, but then they lost three wickets without addition to the score and were soon 109-6 with two run outs contributing to the collapse.

Tom Betts (24) and Hicks (19) attempted to get the run chase back on track, but after both fell to leg-spinner Eddie Dunn (4-24), it was left to the last pair of Leslie and Erasmus du Toit to block out the final 3.4 overs to secure a draw at 152-9.

The side are at home to Great & Little Tew on Saturday.

Horspath 3rd crashed to 62 all out and a four-wicket defeat at Division 3A leaders Brackley in a crazy encounter which saw 16 wickets fall.

Batting at No 10, Joe Gibbs (15no) was the only Horspath player to make double figures after the visitors had elected to take first knock.

Captain Josh Rowland (5-30) and Douglas Smith (3-8) ripped through the line-up with Horspath all out off 29 overs.

But Brackley then slumped to 25-4 with two wickets apiece for Charlie Turner (2-8) and Josh Cummings (2-17). Gibbs and Jason Cardy also struck, before the hosts clinched victory at 66-6 off 19.5 overs.

The side will look to bounce back at home to fellow strugglers Banbury 3rd next Saturday.

Horspath 4th went down by 143 runs at home to Abingdon Vale 2nd in Division 5C.

Despite the efforts of Hayden Moon (3-47) and Julius Leslie (3-71), the visitors posted 252-7 after being put in to bat with George Owen hitting an unbeaten 106 and captain Sage Waddacor contributing 42.

Skipper Craig Wharton made 38 at the top of the order and Chris Jones made 24 before Horspath fell to 109 all out with Waddacor taking 5-23 and Andrew Pogorzelski 3-29. 

The side take on Cairns Fudge at Stanton St John next weekend.