Hat-trick hero Rafiq in terrific display for Horspath 2nd

ASAD Rafiq turned in a tremendous all-round display with a half-century and a five-wicket haul - including a hat-trick - in Horspath 2nd's 51-run win at leaders Bledlow Village in Cherwell League Division 2. 

He kicked off by hitting 59 as Horspath made 203-9 after being put in to bat, with his runs coming off 99 balls and featuring four boundaries and one six. 

Asad Rafiq shone. Picture: Rob Judges

Rafiq shared a fifth-wicket stand of 108 with Tyrone Eyles, who hammered 50 from 72 deliveries with four fours and two sixes. Jehan Mohammed chipped in with 27, while Will Woodward took 5-74 for Bledlow. 

The Horspath all-rounder then took the first two wickets as Bledlow slumped to 7-3. Ed Oakley (2-30) and Mohson Rana (2-20) maintained Horspath's grip despite 40 from Tom Moore, before Rafiq returned to claim a superb hat-trick. 

He bowled Sam Mudie, trapped Simon Edwards lbw and then had Joe Harman caught behind by skipper Alex Thomas. It was left to Tim Henry to polish off Bledlow for 152 with Dan Walker (32) the last man out. 

Young opener Christopher Hofen hit a maiden league half-century as Horspath 3rd lost their unbeaten record in Division 4A with a four-wicket defeat at home to Tiddington 2nd. 

Hofen made 53 from 134 balls with six fours and a six to lay the foundations for Horspath's 188-9 off 53 overs. 

He shared a solid opening stand with skipper Jamie Stead (28), before Peter Wheeler hammered 26 from 16 balls, while Chris Jones hit three sixes in his 22. Matt Maule (4-46) was Tiddington's chief destroyer, while Ben McGuiness picked up 2-12. 

Horspath made the visitors battle for the runs with Saif Dogar taking 3-63 and Andy Cummings 2-50, but Chris Goodman cracked 54, before Maule (46no) and Colin Bird (25no) saw Tiddington home at 189-6. 

Horspath 4th went down to a 207-run defeat at Division 6B high-fliers Risinghurst. 

The home side racked up a formidable 284-6 from 45 overs after electing to bat. Rakesh Nambiar (80no), Sandeep George (52), Lokeshwar Bandhu (38) and S M Mansoor Abbasi (37) led the way for the hosts. Hadi Ali took 3-51, Stuart Berry 2-57 and there was a wicket on his league debut for Hamza Javed.  

Horspath were never in the hunt in reply, but it wasn't until the 43rd over that they were finally bowled out for 77. Skipper Craig Wharton made 34 at the top of the order, while Govind Gaur (6-12) and John Thompson (4-10) did the damage.

Posted by: Russ