Missed opportunity as Horspath suffer collapse at Wargrave

HORSPATH squandered a strong position to crash to a 22-run defeat at Wargrave in Home Counties Premier League Division 2. 

Having bowled the hosts out for 196 after they had elected to bat, Horspath were well placed at 120-3 in the 29th over. But then a collapse set in as the visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 54 runs to be bowled out for 174. 

Elliot Ruff top-scored with 44

Elliot Ruff top-scored with 44 before his dismissal sparked Wargrave's fightback led by Rhys Lewis. Stephen Green (28) kept Horspath's hopes alive, but when he became the first of three wickets to go down for just two runs - another victim of the Wargrave spinner - Horspath were staring defeat at 148-8. 

There was no way back from there and the visitors were left to reflect on some injudicious shot selection as they were finally all out in the penultimate over. Lewis finished with 3-24 from his ten overs, while paceman Toby Greatwood picked up 3-30 and John Child 2-30. 

Earlier, Horspath's bowlers shared the wickets around to restrict Wargrave to a score, which looked well within their compass on a big outfield. 

Mishan Silva and Lewis (45) had taken the home side to 108-2 when they lost three wickets for one run with Anupam Sanklecha (2-37) striking twice in in the 29th over. 

But from 109-5, Silva and Greatwood added 57 for the sixth wicket before the Sri Lankan batsman was caught and bowled by Horspath skipper Lloyd Belcher (2-35) for 63 off 72 balls, which included six fours and a six. 

With Jehan Mohammed returning the pick of the figures with 3-30, and Will Eason taking 2-33, Horspath pegged the home side back to what looked a manageable target, but it wasn't to be.

Posted by: Russ