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Horspath eye quadruple in Hartwell Trophy

12 Sep 2024

Horspath seek to complete a unique quadruple when they face Oxford Downs in the Hartwell Trophy Final at Challow & Childrey on Sunday (4.30pm).

With the Cherwell League Division 1 title, Pullinger Cup and victory in the Oxfordshire final of the Voneus Village Cup - over Downs - already secured this season, the side are chasing a fabulous four-timer on Oxfordshire T20 Finals Day.

It will be the club's seventh appearance in the last 12 years in the showpiece decider, having won the competition formerly known as the Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup in 2013, 2014 and 2018.

On the latter occasion at Wormsley, Horspath staged a brilliant run chase to defeat Downs by four wickets after the Standlake-based side's left-hander George Sandbach smashed an unbeaten 129 off 69 balls. 

Horspath also finished runners-up to Banbury in 2017 and in 2022 when the trophy was played for under its new title for the first time as well as last year when Oxford won a rain-affected low-scoring encounter at Wormsley by 30 runs.

Horspath booked their place in this year's decider with a convincing 55-run win over Aston Rowant in the semi-finals at the Recreation Ground.

Viv Narayan starred with 67 from 40 deliveries, and there were also quickfire contributions from Josh Richardson (45) and Hussaan Ahmad (39) as the hosts rattled up an impressive 213-5. Richardson then completed a fine all-round effort with 3-37 as Rowant were restricted to 158-8.

Horspath had booked their last-four spot by topping Pool 1 with three wins and a cancellation from their four games.

The side did the double over Oxford, winning by 16 runs at the Oxford University Press Sports Ground and by 72 runs at home.

A 79-run victory at Tiddington was sandwiched in between, before the return fixture was called off.

Lachlan Biggs starred with 56 in both the home win over Oxford and the victory at Tiddington where Richardson smashed an unbeaten 56 off 26 balls.

In the opening win at Oxford, Narayan blasted a sparkling 66 off 34 deliveries, before Joval Calix returned superb figures of 5-27. 

Downs, meanwhile, edged out Banbury by two wickets in a thrilling semi-final at Standlake.

Chasing the north Oxfordshire club's 125-4 in a contest reduced to 18 overs-a-side, Downs were indebted to an unbeaten 55 off 47 deliveries from Tom Powell as they got home at 128-8 with two balls to spare.

The Home Counties Premier League Division 1 outfit had reached the last four by topping Pool 3 with four wins out of four.

They opened up with a 22-run triumph at Bicester & North Oxford, before battling to a 19-run home success over Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Downs then rattled up a massive 252-3 to set up a 160-run win at Shipton with Sam Cross hammering 88 off 51 balls and Ethan Davie creaming an unbeaten 61 from 26 deliveries.

Cross (52) shone again as top spot was secured with a tense six-run win at home to Bicester.

It will be the third of three finals to take place at Challow on Sunday with the Wilf Bennett Trophy between Charlbury and Oxenford first up at 10am.

This is followed by the inaugural Oxfordshire Women's Hundred Final, which features Oxford Romans and Moreton Mavericks, at 1.30pm.

Challow are laying on a range of catering for the day. The bar opens from 9am, with sandwiches, rolls, tea and coffee all available.
From 11.30 there will be lunches for those who want a hot meal with the menu consisting of a spicy chicken curry and rice plus a vegetarian option of a brie and onion quiche and salad. A BBQ will be running from 2pm.
Gates open at 9am and the postcode for the ground is OX12 9RR. All supporters are welcome.