Horspath created a small piece of history by getting to the Final of the Bernard Tollet Trophy [ Oxfordshire KO Competition] for the first time by defeating Banbury in front of a large crowd at the Rec last night.
Krolly elected to bat first on winning the toss and Robbie and Jimmy set about the Banbury attack of Ashley Blanchard and Ollie Wright in the ‘power play’ taking the score to 56 in the 6 overs allowed. The stand ended on 67 when Robbie was superbly caught by Barends off the Banbury version of Jimmy Phillips for 25, Jimmy followed shortly to his namesake for 31 as Banbury’s trio of County spinners Luke Ryan, Jimmy Phillips and Richard West slowed the run rate.
However Shahbaz now took centre stage and assisted by Wyndy 14 and Will 11 he scored a magnificent 51 in 29 balls including 5 sixes off the last nine balls he faced. Jimmy Phillips 3 -24 and Luke Ryan 2- 19 returning excellent figures.
Horspath’s final total of 156 – 8 was good but not out of range of Banbury although they were without their two main attacking batsmen, Hawkes and Cater.
Much depended on the powerplay and Horspath’s opening attack of Mase and Will responded with a superb opening spell. With Mase bowling his four overs for 15 whilst taking the important wickets of West and Ryan and Will only conceding 13 off 3 pressure led to the run outs of Eddie Phillips and Ashley Blanchard
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The introduction of the left arm spinners Lloyd Belcher and Krolly saw the demise of the Banbury middle order, with Lloyd taking a wicket with his first ball in going on to record the outstanding figures of 3 -25 off his four overs while Krolly [3-29] ended the Banbury innings on 99 taking all 3 wickets in his final over.
Certainly worth a mention was the outstanding fielding of both sides on the night
Horspath will meet the winners of the other semi- final between Great Tew and Thame on Sunday Sept 8th at Aston Rowant 2.30 start