Eason and Coleman set up Horspath victory

Robbie Eason hit an unbeaten 84. Pictures: Simon Hipwell

OPENERS Robbie Eason and Tom Coleman shared a century partnership as Horspath posted a 53-run home win over bottom club Tring Park to go second in Home Counties Premier League Division 1.

Eason was at his most watchful in carrying his bat for an unbeaten 84 off 168 balls with eight fours after Horspath had been inserted. They reached lunch at 88-0, and Coleman went on to complete a maiden Home Counties half-century after the break.

He had made 54 from 129 deliveries, with eight fours, when he was given run out in the 41st over attempting a quick single following a throw from Luke Coleman-Ohrynowsky to wicket-keeper Stephen Dutch with the score on 111. James Fitzjohn then weighed in with his maiden league half-century, increasing the tempo with 57 from 66 balls, which included a six and six fours, in a second-wicket partnership of 97 with Eason. Fitzjohn's innings came to an end when he was caught by Coleman-Ohrynowsky at mid-wicket off Michael Payne, making it 208-2.

Tom Coleman made a half-century

Three runs later, Ajmal Shahzad was caught at long on by Lawrence Snookes off Shelvin Gumbs, before Jamil Faruq also perished in the chase for quick runs, bowled by Payne to make it 222-4. However, Tom Cosford ensured the innings finished with a flourish, blasting an unbeaten 33 off just 12 balls, with two sixes and four boundaries, to take Horspath up to 265-4 off their 64 overs. Payne (2-61) was Tring's most successful bowler, while AJ Woodland conceded just nine runs from his seven overs.

Woodland was the first wicket to fall in Tring's reply with the score on 26, caught behind by Andy Roberts off skipper Will Eason. The Horspath captain then removed his Tring counterpart Gumbs in identical fashion for 16 to make it 42-2. Eason struck again three runs later, bowling Andrew Dixon for 11. Coleman-Ohrynowsky and Payne took Tring to tea at 105-3, but in the first over after the break, and with just one more run on the board, the latter hit a full toss from Lloyd Belcher to backward point where Shahzad took a comfortable catch.

Coleman-Ohrynowsky then fell to the same combination in similar fashion for 52 from 61 balls, with a six and six fours, leaving Tring on 135-5. Shahzad, who had bowled at a lively pace, was next to strike with the score on 162 when Kamran Shah attempted to pull a short delivery from the former England international and only succeeded in gloving a catch to Roberts.

Dutch was then run out at the bowler's end by Belcher's throw from long on attempting a second run, making it 186-7. Tring continued to go for the runs, and Cosford pulled off a tremendous caught and bowled dismissal, diving forward to take a low catch as Jake Seagrave drove back down the pitch.

Faruq immediately posed problems for the Tring tailenders when he came into the attack, and after seeing a chance put down behind in his first over, he gained a deserved reward when Simon Stanway edged for Roberts to claim a fourth catch, and leave the visitors on the brink of defeat at 202-9.

While wickets fell around him, Curran Gaur had batted well to make 50 from 66 balls, with two sixes and three fours, before he danced down the pitch and was bowled by Cosford, leaving Tring 212 all out.

Will Eason finished with 3-46, while Cosford took 2-17 and Belcher 2-48. Shahzad finished with 1-35 from 14 overs, and Faruq 1-10.

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HORSPATH will play Harefield in the Home Counties Premier League Twenty20 semi-finals at Burnham on Sunday, July 23. Henley face High Wycombe in the other semi-final, with the final to follow later in the day.
Posted by: Russ