HORSPATH 4th finished top of Cherwell League Tier 5A following a thrilling tie against Abingdon Vale 3rd in their top-of-the-table decider at Hales Meadow.
Chasing Vale's 174-9 after putting the home side in to bat with debutant Ananya Jeshtadi taking 5-40, Horspath, who went into the game with a four-point lead over their opponents, reached the last over requiring ten to win.
Skipper Jamie Stead was in full flow after completing a half-century and with the experienced Paul Hicks at the other end, they picked up four runs from the first four balls. Stead then hit the next delivery for four through mid-wicket, and in the knowledge that a tie was good enough to ensure Horspath would finish above Abingdon and stay top he took a single to mid-on off the last ball as the visitors closed on level scores at 174-5.
Horspath's captain was unbeaten on 78 from 92 balls, while newcomer Max Wyman had earlier made 35 at the top of the order before Christopher Hofen chipped in with 19.
Jeshtadi had starred for the visitors in Abingdon's innings with his five-wicket haul coming after Ed Oakley opened up with 1-6 from six accurate overs, while Hofen picked up 2-46 and Jamie Hicks 1-26. There were also tidy five-over spells from Shreyas Anand and Hadi Ali. Max Siriwardene (38) and Chris Darley (32) provided the backbone of the Abingdon innings.
Now Horspath will be away to Tier 5B winners Thame Town 3rd in their final game next Saturday.
Posted by: Russ