JEHAN Mohammed produced a terrific all-round display to lead Horspath 2nd to a 92-run home win over champions-elect Westbury in Cherwell League Division 2.
Mohammed hit 79 as Horspath posted 261-9 after being put in to bat, and then took 4-25 to help send Westbury tumbling to 169 all out. His runs came off 106 balls with 11 fours as he shared in a second-wicket stand of 161 with Jamie Stead, who made 58 from 101 deliveries with six boundaries. Andy Roberts weighed in with 44, while Richard Tredwell (5-36) pegged Horspath back supported by Graham Judd (3-75).
Westbury had reached 46-0 in reply when young off-spinner Luke Heritage's introduction into the attack sparked a collapse. He removed the visitors' top four batsmen, including opener Tom Gurney (31), in an excellent spell of 4-21 from ten overs as Westbury slumped to 87-4. Ryan Hicks and Alfie Turner also picked up a wicket apiece, before Mohammed mopped up the tail with the win moving Horspath up to fifth place.
Veterans Adrian Manger (5-27) and Robin Pykett (4-13) combined to give Horspath 3rd a 71-run victory at home to Cropredy 2nd and boost their outside chances of promotion from Division 5.
The evergreen duo sent Cropredy crashing to 119 all out after Horspath had made 190 after being put in to bat, with Elliot Ward (1-10) wrapping up the innings. Only Adam Stearn (35no) provided any resistance.
Earlier, Swapnil Kulkarni followed up last week's unbeaten 100 with a fine 71 from 70 balls, which included 12 fours, to top-score for Horspath. Dan Jones (39) provided solid support as Joe Coggins (3-22) and George Deeley (3-52) shone for Cropredy. The victory moves Horspath up to third, ten points behind second-placed Kimble.
Horspath 4th's hopes of going up from Division 7 suffered a major blow with a nine-wicket defeat at promotion rivals Westbury 2nd.
The visitors were restricted to 199-8 after being put in to bat with good contributions from captain Carl Thompson (49), Hayden Moon (45) and Mike Naylor (30) as Sam Manning took 5-53.
Westbury's powerful batting line-up then raced to victory at 203-1 off just 30.1 overs with Andrew Lees (68) leading the way, before Joe Nutting (63no) and Tom Boardman (44no) finished the job. The defeat sees Horspath drop from second place to fourth.
Posted by: Russ