HORSPATH 3rd pulled off a remarkable six-run victory at home to Aston Rowant in their Cherwell League Tier 3 play-off final.
Defending 155-7 after being put in to bat, 3A winners Horspath looked to be heading for defeat as the 3B table-toppers coasted to 103-1. Opener Jamie Revill (71) and William Senior (36) shared a second-wicket stand of 102 after Saif Dogar (1-41) had struck early for the home side.
But then Ryan Hicks (4-24) and Joe Gibbs (3-24) sparked an incredible collapse which saw Rowant lose their last nine wickets for 46 runs. Gibbs made the crucial breakthrough by bowling Revill, while Hicks dismissed William Senior with Chris Batten taking the third of his three catches.
Senior was one of three wickets to fall on 139 with Rowant's last five wickets adding just ten runs as Adrian Manger (2-21) claimed the final two victims with the visitors 149 all out.Earlier, opener Dan Todd (36) and George Crawford (32no) had led the way as Horspath posted what would prove to be a winning total.
Skipper Jamie Stead's unbeaten 80 proved in vain as Horspath 4th went down by three wickets to Thame Town 3rd in their Tier 5 play-off final at Lord Williams's School.
Stead led the 5A winners to 162-8 after being put into bat by the 5B table-toppers. However, it didn't prove enough as Thame secured victory on 165-7 with 3.3 overs to spare.
Posted by: Russ