HORSPATH are through to Oxfordshire T20 Finals Day at Wormsley in September - but it's undecided which trophy they will do battle for after losing their South Group unbeaten record with a seven-run defeat at home to Tiddington.
To be assured of top spot in their section and a place in the premier Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup final, Will Eason's side must now win their final group game at Aston Rowant next week. Defeat there, though, could see them pipped by Tiddington, who would finish on the same points as Horspath if they won at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts, but would leapfrog above them by virtue of last night's win. However, Horspath, who had won their opening five group games, are now guaranteed of at least finishing group runners-up for a place in the Wilf Bennett Trophy final.
Horspath squandered a golden opportunity, though, to clinch a place in the Oxon Cup final with the loss to Tiddington. Having put the visitors in to bat, Horspath quickly reduced them to 15-4. Paceman Asad Rafiq (2-25) struck with his first ball and again in the opening over to leave Tiddington 2-2, and when off-spinner Tom Cosford picked up two wickets it looked as if the hosts were well on their way to a sixth straight win.
But the visitors rallied with Jordon Davis smashing two sixes and four boundaries in his 29 off nine balls, before Rob Lutton blasted three maximums in his 28 and Nick Pykett weighed in with 29. However, with tidy spells from Luke Heritage (2-17) and Darryl Brown (2-19) plus a wicket for Lloyd Belcher, Tiddington were bowled out for 117 as Cosford (3-5) returned to wrap up the innings.
It may have been more than Tiddington seemed likely to post following their terrible start, but it should still have been well within Horspath's range. However, the hosts succumbed for 110 in the last over after a series of poor shots brought about their downfall. Tom Coleman made 26 at the top of the order, before Horspath slumped to 69-5.
Shahbaz Ali and Eason threatened to pull the game out of the fire, but then the former was run out for 27 and a great catch at mid-wicket by Jordon Davis - his third of the innings - accounted for the Horspath skipper. Needing 11 runs to win off the last over bowled by Nick Pykett with three wickets left, Horspath could muster just three to close on 110-9. Pykett finished with 3-10, Patrick Knightley 2-22 and Joe Elliott 2-27.
Posted by: Russ