OPENER Craig Wharton fell agonisingly short of a century when he was run out for 99 in Horspath 3rd's 104-run home win over Chearsley in Cherwell League Division 5.
Wharton's terrific innings set Horspath on the way to an impressive 231-3 after they had been put in to bat in a match reduced to 30 overs-a-side to allow the ground to dry out. Fellow opener Andy Roberts made 50, before Nigel Coltman (25no) and debutant Swapnil Kulkarni (16no) took Horspath to their final total.
Horspath then used seven bowlers as Chearsley slumped to 127 all out. Hayden Moon (1-16) made the breakthrough, and there were also wickets for Adrian Manger (2-18), Alfie Turner (1-9) and skipper Robin Pykett (1-22), before father and son Chris (2-5) and Dan Jones (2-10) wrapped up the innings. The win moves Horspath back up to fifth.
Horspath 4th went down to an eight-wicket defeat at Didcot 3rd after being put in to bat on a damp pitch. The visitors were bowled out for 105, with Paul Hicks (24) top-scoring as Jaimee Jose (3-34) led the way for Didcot.
Peter Sharp (62no) and James Head (25no) then steered Didcot to victory at 106-2, despite a superb spell from Luke Heritage, who took 2-17 off 13 overs. The loss sees Horspath go down to sixth.
Posted by: Russ