Horspath Record First Wins of 2012

Horspath got the first wins of the season when they recorded victories over Plumtree and FFTMCC at the weekend, both matches played in Arctic conditions.

Ben Thompson

The Notts Premier League side Plumtree, who included former Horspath favourite Ben Thompson in their line up, provided formidable opposition. Horspath were inserted on losing the toss and quickly lost Matt O.Connor on his return from Tasmania. Coming on first change Tommo suckered Robbie Eason into playing no shot to a ball that clipped the off bail and then captured Shabbaz caught behind. Jimmy Phillips again looked in good form, as he and Will Eason set about  repairing the damage in positive fashion. Everybody was surprised when Jimmy was bowled during an over in which he had already taken 16 upon which Greeny immediately ran himself out. When Will was caught behind the Horspath innings was tottering on 120-8. The innings was rescued by an excellent stand between Andy Roberts and Dan Todd, both playing sensibly and running hard. When the partnership was ended there was time for Andy C to play a couple of sublime cover drives before being last out with 3 balls of the 45 overs remaining as Horspath totalled a competitive 162.

Will Eason

Horspath bowled and fielded with much greater intensity than the previous week against Slough. Will captured two wickets in a testing opening spell supported by ACs accuracy at the other end.
A fiery spell by Shahbaz saw him capture the prize wicket of the dangerous Thommo, assisted by tidy work from Andy Roberts, enjoying a fine debut, behind the stumps. Jack Biggs and Dan Todd came on and kept the pressure on the Plumtree batting before the return of Will and Shahbaz saw them record three wickets apiece as the innings concluded at 140 in the 43rd over. A heartening display

The intensity was down more than a notch or two as Horspath took on Far from the MCC in their annual early season fixture on Sunday. FFTMCC opted to bat on winning the toss, much preferring the conditions in the bar to the elements outside. All the Horspath bowlers met with success with wickets for Moony, Ceri Homes and Tage. Chris Fox bowled a decent spell of medium pace on debut, but the main bowler to benefit was Dan Todd taking 5 for 24, despite his first over going for 14, as the FFTMCC innings curtailed for 129.

Horspath’s innings was opened by the welcoming return of one of Horspath’s finest, Dick DeCaires in company with Dom O’Connor, a quarter of his age. With both bowlers and batsmen making a quick return to the Clubroom a priority the score raced along. Dick hit one up in the air to depart for 30. There was time for Dom to reach his 50, an innings full of well timed shots, before Joey Todd took Horspath to a 9 wicket victory with a series of big shots to end unbeaten on 32.

A good performance and the side was most efficiently organised and captained by Jakey.