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| Stephen Green hit 57 not out. Picture: Stuart Cardy |
Green hit 57 not out off 52 balls with two mighty sixes and five fours to steer Horspath to 181-6 off their 40 overs after they had chosen to bat. James Fitzjohn weighed in with 44 after opener Tom Coleman had made 29, while Tom Brine picked up 2-32 for Rowant.
Horspath then bowled the hosts out for 165. The game was evenly poised with Rowant 71-3 after 20 overs. However, Horspath gradually tightened their grip with left-arm spinner Elliot Miles taking the important wickets of captain Josh Smith (50), Dan Moriarty and Chris Watling to finish with 3-39. Smith's half-century came from 52 deliveries with three fours.
Rowant needed 19 off the last over to pull the game out of the fire, but off-spinner Tom Cosford took the final three wickets in the space of four balls to seal Horspath's success with 4-31. There was also a wicket apiece for Liam Manley and Jehan Mohammed, while skipper Will Eason's eight overs cost just 18 runs.
Horspath are now away to High Wycombe, who beat Chesham by 30 runs, in the Group 12 semi-final on Sunday, June 3.
Meanwhile, Horspath, who were handed a second successive walkover in the Cricketer Village Cup when Great & Little Tew conceded their second-round tie, will visit Langford in the Oxfordshire semi-final on Sunday, May 27. The west Oxfordshire club marched on in the competition with victory at Aston Rowant.
Posted by: Russ