Rafiq and Eason set up big Horspath 2nd victory

OPENER Asad Rafiq and skipper Robbie Eason starred with the bat to set Horspath 2nd up for a crushing 166-run victory at home to Bletchley Town in Cherwell League Tier 2B.

Asad Rafiq hit a superb 82.
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Rafiq hammered 82 and Eason made 72 as Horspath posted 260-6 after being put in to bat. They shared a second-wicket stand of 89 with Rafiq's runs coming off 74 balls with 15 fours and a six, while Eason's 71-ball knock included 12 boundaries. Stephen Green maintained the momentum with four sixes in his 38. 

Charlie Turner (3-12) then made early inroads into the Bletchley batting with Adeel Rehman (1-23), before spinners Josh Richardson (4-32) and Luke Heritage (2-10) sent the visitors crashing to 94 all out.

Horspath 3rd's bowlers shone to set up a six-wicket win at Challow & Childrey 2nd in Tier 3A.

Sam Payce (2-32) did the early damage after Challow had elected to bat, before skipper Andy Cummings (3-12) and Joe Gibbs (3-13) tightened Horspath's grip. Saif Dogar and Adrian Manger took a wicket apiece to polish Challow off for 104.

Opener Chris Batten continued his good form with an unbeaten 39 and, with Jason Cardy hitting 34 not out, Horspath coasted home at 107-4 in the 23rd over.

Jonty Hedges and Dan Todd smashed half-centuries as Horspath 4th stormed to an eight-wicket win at home to Kingston Bagpuize 2nd to remain unbeaten in Tier 5A.

Chasing Bagpuize's 191-6 after the visitors had elected to bat, Horspath knocked off the runs off just 21.1 overs. Hedges followed up his 55 against Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd last week with an unbeaten 74 after openers Todd (54) and Tejas Anand (45) had laid the foundations for the hosts to clinch victory at 195-2.

Earlier, opener Stuart Edwards (55), Douglas Phillips (40) and Steve Lewis (39no) had been in the runs for Bagpuize as Shreyas Anand, Christopher Hofen, skipper Jamie Stead, Reyaan Dogar and Jamie Hicks took a wicket apiece.

With the 1st XI winning at Thame Town in the Home Counties Premier League, it meant the club were able to celebrate a full house of victories for the first time in quite a while.

Posted by: Russ