Hussain's half-century fires Horspath into Oxon Cup semis

SULAIMAN Hussain hammered a sparkling half-century to set Horspath on the way to a 27-run victory at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood in their Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup quarter-final. 

The left-handed opener blasted 52 off 43 balls with nine fours as the home side posted 163-8 in the T20 clash after electing to bat. 

Sulaiman Hussain hit 52 and took 2-22

He then made an impact with the ball, taking two wickets to help restrict Shipton to 136-5 and clinch a semi-final tie at home to either Aston Rowant or Challow & Childrey. 

Hussain was quick to asset his authority on the Shipton attack with three offside boundaries in the third over. He shared a stand of 56 for the second wicket with Elliot Ruff, who made a brisk 30 from just 17 balls. 

Hussain brought up his fifty with a single down to long off in the 13th over, but he had added just two more when he was bowled by Iwan Roberts (3-41) as he attempted a legside pull. 

Tyrone Eyles kept Horspath on the front foot, though, with a hard-hit 29 from 20 deliveries to ensure the hosts reached a challenging total. Left-arm spinner Shaun Miller, with 2-20 off his four overs, was the pick of the Shipton attack, while Rob Panting took 2-32. 

Tim Senior and Lewis Marstin got Shipton's run chase off to a lively start with 34 for the first wicket before Asad Rafiq made the breakthrough with the former caught in the deep for 22. 

Marstin and Arun White kept up the momentum, though, and the visitors were well placed at 82-1 off 10 overs, before Hussain came into the attack to turn the game in Horspath's favour. 

The Shipton duo had added 52 for the second wicket when Hussain struck with his second ball. Marstin (22) missed a delivery well outside off stump and Will Hawtin reacted smartly to whip off the bails and secure a stumping. 

Alfie Turner then bowled White, who had made 33 off 21 balls, in the next over, and the visitors' challenge petered out despite an unbeaten 28 from Dee Jarvis. Hussain finished with 2-22 from his four overs, while Turner returned admirable figures of 1-16. 

Horspath can now look forward to entertaining Aston Rowant or Challow & Childrey, who meet on Tuesday. Banbury host Oxford Downs in the other semi-final, with the games due to be played in the week commencing July 26. The prize for the winners is a place on finals day at Wormsley on September 18.

Posted by: Russ