Horspath 2nd's youngsters take Buckingham 2nd to the wire

HORSPATH 2nd's youngsters shone at Buckingham Town 2nd to take the hosts to the wire before going down to a three-wicket defeat in Cherwell League Division 2. 

Josh Richardson hit 46 not out

The visitors made 216 all out after being put in to bat with Josh Richardson hitting an unbeaten 46 after Alfie Turner made 45. 

Horspath were in big trouble at 134-8, but Richardson and Luke Heritage (28) put on 76 for the ninth wicket to put them in with a chance. Dominic Pritchard (3-30), Richard Pengelly (3-45), Matthew Thatcher (2-35) and Jason Ell (2-46) shared the wickets. 

Horspath made Buckingham fight for the runs, but opener Mustafa Syed kept the home side on course before becoming one of two victims for seamer Charlie Turner (2-61). 

Off-spinner Alfie Turner completed a fine all-round game with 2-28, while Jamil Faruq (1-24), making a welcome return to action, and Asad Rafiq (1-40) were the other wicket-takers as the game hung in the balance with Buckingham 173-7. 

But Greg Liebenberg (46no) and Ell (22no) added an unbroken stand of 44 for the eighth wicket to see the hosts to victory at 217-7. 

Horspath 3rd powered to a six-wicket win at lowly Garsington and Cowley in Division 4A. 

The hosts were bowled out for 228 after electing to bat, with Saif Dogar (3-22) and Mohson Rana (3-70) doing the damage after Andy Cummings (2-26) removed both openers. Uzair Ahmad (57) and Ehsan Hussain (34) were the mainstays of the Garsington innings. 

Dan Todd (49) and Christopher Hofen (32) got Horspath's run chase off to a good start, before Ryan Hicks (51no) and skipper Jamie Stead (49no) took the visitors to victory at 230-4.

Posted by: Russ