HORSPATH 2nd remain just above the Cherwell League Division 2 relegation zone following a 93-run defeat at Aston Rowant 2nd.
Captain Tim Morgan, who had taken a century of the Horspath attack earlier this season, repeated the feat with 105 as Rowant rattled up 267-6 after being put in to bat. He shared an opening stand of 153 with Sasha Barras (84), before Thad Cooper weighed in with 43. Stand-in skipper Shahbaz Ali took 2-36 and young leg-spinner Josh Richardson 2-56, while there was a wicket apiece for Charlie Turner and Stuart Berry.
Horspath were never in the hunt in reply and were eventually bowled out for 176. Shahbaz top-scored with 41, while Mohson Rana was left unbeaten on 25 as Ben Knowler (5-21) polished off the innings after Tom Brine (2-20) and Caspar Mason (2-32) made the early inroads.
Horspath are now 12 points clear of Minster Lovell in the drop zone. Horspath's final game next Saturday is at home to seventh-placed Wolverton Town, while Minster Lovell entertain second-placed Banbury 2nd.
Horspath 3rd eased to a 96-run home win over bottom club Abingdon Vale 2nd in Division 4.
Dan Todd (50), Dan Jones (47) and Fred Wilkinson (33) led the way as Horspath posted 245 all out after being put in to bat, with Dan Hartley taking 3-24. Vale were then bowled out for 149 with Elliot Ward (3-11) maintaining his impressive form as Horspath's youngsters took the bulk of the wickets to fall. Hartley was left unbeaten on 40. The win keeps Horspath in seventh place.
Posted by: Russ