Battling Horspath foiled in Home Counties T20 mission

HORSPATH'S hopes of reaching Home Counties Premier League T20 finals day were dashed with a 14-run defeat by Banbury at White Post Road.

Tom Coleman hit a fluent 41

Having pulled a two-run victory out of the fire against Oxford in their Pool 3 opener at the same venue earlier in the day, Horspath found themselves chasing the north Oxfordshire club's 140-7 after they had elected to bat. 

Banbury, who had earlier beaten Great Brickhill by 35 runs, were indebted to skipper Lloyd Sabin (35), former Horspath batsman Harrison Ward, who made 32 before being bowled by Lloyd Belcher, and Ed Phillips (29). 

Patrick Foster finished with 3-31, which included an excellent low catch by Graham Beer running in from deep square leg to dismiss Sabin, while Belcher picked up 1-22 off four overs. 

Tom Coleman got Horspath's run chase off to a flying start and with Elliot Ruff providing good support an upset was on the cards at 77-1 after 11 overs. But then Coleman was caught behind down the legside by Shazad Rana off Ollie Wright for a sparkling 41 off 35 balls, and Horspath's challenge faltered.

Two overs later, Ruff was caught behind off Dave Eaton for 31. Sulaiman Hussain kept Horspath's hopes alive with 24 off 17 balls including two superbly-timed straight sixes, but after he was caught the innings petered out to 126-8. Wright (2-18), Thomas (2-19), Ward (2-22) and Eaton (2-22) combined to see Banbury through. 

Earlier, Horspath had fought back well to surprise Oxford in a thrilling encounter. Ruff (45) and Stephen Green (44) shone as Horspath posted 140-5, while George Tait took 3-18. 

Oxford were on course for victory at 78-2 after 10 overs with George Tait making 39. But they were pegged back by young off-spinner Luke Heritage, who produced a terrific spell to pick up 4-24. 

Needing 10 to win off the last over with three wickets left, Oxford picked up a single from Patrick Foster's first delivery before Richard Musk was caught behind by Will Hawtin off the next ball.

Adam Hall picked up two twos from the next two balls only to be stumped off the penultimate delivery to leave Oxford on 136-9 with one delivery left. Two more runs were added before a run out to leave Oxford 138 all out and Horspath victorious.

Posted by: Russ