Wednesday 19 September 2018

Ben and Will hit tons in Horspath Run Feast

BEN Thompson and Will Eason hit sparkling centuries as the annual Horspath Feast match turned into the Horspath Run Feast.

Returning to play at his old ground, Thompson led the way with a brilliant unbeaten 104 as the President's XI rattled up a massive 294-4 dec after being put in to bat. But Horspath weren't to be outdone with Eason compiling an undefeated 110, ably supported by Adrian Manger's 66 not out, in his side's reply of 261-5 to secure an honourable draw.

Thompson showed he was in the mood to post a big total early in his innings with an exquisite cover drive, and with Aston Rowant's Chris Watling scoring at a rapid rate, the President's XI were soon racking up the runs. Watling hit a superb straight six before bringing up his half-century with a boundary down the ground. He added a ninth four before being bowled by Eason for 55 off 42 deliveries as he attempted an audacious ramp shot, making it 78-1.

Witney Swifts' Charlie Fisher ensured there was no respite for the hosts, though, hammering 40 from 47 balls, with two sixes and five fours, before he fell to a smart stumping by Will Hawtin off Stuart Berry with the score on 142. Thompson went to his fifty with two runs into the legside, and with Banbury's Josh Megson quickly into his stride, lunch arrived with the President's XI already on 194-2.

With the runs having flowed so freely, the break turned into an elongated lunch of around two hours during which members and guests enjoyed an excellent array of food prepared by chef Hayden Moon. Entertaining speeches followed by Max Eason, on behalf of the club, and Banbury stalwart Neil Megson, who had taken over the President's XI captaincy.

President Denis Walker then presented Max with a framed photo of when he received an ECB 'Coach of the Year' Award from former England batsman Graham Thorpe at the Oval this summer. It prompted Max to ruefully relate how much the award had ended up costing him after he had taken the family down to London for the day.

When umpires Bob Chamberlain and Dick Decaires getting play back under way, Josh Megson went to his half-century in style with a straight six, before he was stumped by Hawtin off Manger for 69 from 43 balls, which included four maximums and seven boundaries, having shared a third-wicket stand with Thompson of 126.

Thompson went to a splendid century with a quick single to point. His innings was a fitting tribute to his dad, John, and nan, Irene, who sadly passed away earlier this year, and were among those absent friends that a glass had been raised to at lunch. The declaration came when Horley's David Eaton skied a catch to Dan Todd off Manger for 19. Thompson remained undefeated with his runs coming off 128 balls, which included three sixes and ten fours.

Horspath's reply got off to a highly inauspicious start as they slumped to 67-5 with Reading's former Horspath paceman, Ian Slatcher, and Aston Rowant's Wes Morrick taking two wickets apiece, before Banbury's Richard Simpson also got in on the act. However, Will Eason and Manger then set about repairing the damage.

Horspath's captain brought up his fifty with a square drive for two, before going on to bring up the 100 partnership with a neat cut for four through backward point. Manger proved the ideal foil and he reached a well-deserved half-century with a four down to fine leg. The pair marched on relentlessly and Eason completed an excellent century with a flashing drive to the cover boundary, before the close came in fading light.

Eason, whose runs came off 120 balls with 22 fours, and Manger, who hit 11 boundaries in his 103-ball knock, had shared a magnificent unbroken stand of 194 for the sixth wicket. It meant that there had 555 runs on the day, which certainly kept scorers Tommy Pritchard and Mick Warren busy. It truly had been a run feast.

Posted by: Russ