Sunday 15 July 2018

Josh Richardson hits league ton - aged just 13

Josh Richardson in front of the scoreboard after his 100 not out
JOSH Richardson, aged just 13, is believed to be the youngest Horspath player to score a league century after making a superb 100 not out.

The talented teenager's terrific ton came in Horspath 4th's 113-run win at home to leaders Wolverton Town 2nd in Cherwell League Division 7. Batting at No 4, Josh showed maturity beyond his years to reach the magical milestone in the closing stages of the innings.

His stunning knock included ten fours, and took Horspath to 218-6 after they had been put in to bat. Opener Mike Naylor weighed in with 68, while Ben Boddy took 4-36 for the visitors.

Josh's dad, Steve, then made early inroads into the Wolverton batting with 3-26, before Greg Handley ripped through the rest of the order to return excellent figures of 6-45. It was left to Darren Barber to take the final wicket with his second delivery as the visitors were bowled out for 105. The win takes Horspath up to second in the table.

Horspath 2nd suffered an agonising four-run defeat at home to Oxford 2nd in Division 2. Having bowled Oxford out for 196 after the visitors had chosen to bat, Horspath looked to be on course for victory at 165-5 only to lose their last five wickets for 27 runs.

Asad Rafiq was left unbeaten on 54 from 68 balls with two sixes and six fours as Horspath were bowled out for 192. Earlier, Mark Skelton had made 28 and Swapnil Kulkarni 24, while Andrew Busby took 4-57 for the visitors.

Young off-spinner Luke Heritage took 4-52 in Oxford's innings, while Rafiq picked up 3-35 and Alfie Turner 1-5. Mursaleen Sadiqi hit 59 from 66 balls with a six and eight fours for the visitors, with Durness Mackay-Champion weighing in with 32 and Mark Beer making 29.

Watch 2nd XI Highlights

A disciplined display with the ball saw Horspath 3rd ease to a five-wicket win at Cumnor 2nd in Division 5.

They bowled Cumnor out for 136 after the hosts had elected to bat, with George Horsley (3-11), Adrian Manger (3-29) wrapping up the innings after James Stacey (2-16), Ceri Holmes (1-12) and skipper Robin Pykett (1-45) had taken earlier wickets. Only George Setterfield (32) and opener Andrew Hodder-Williams (30) showed any resistance for Cumnor.

Horspath then secured victory at 137-5, with opener Craig Wharton (31) setting them on the way as Ethan Davie took 3-26.

Posted by: Russ