Horspath foiled in last-over Oxon Under 19 Cup drama

LIGHTNING almost struck twice in the space of two weeks as hosts and holders Horspath fell to a three-run defeat against Cumnor in a nail-biting Oxfordshire Under 19 Cup final.

Alfie Turner hits out. Pictures: Rob Judges

Horspath lifted the Honey-'B' Trophy, named in memory of their late player Morris Honey, as winners of the much-delayed 2020 competition a fortnight ago following a one-wicket victory over Aston Rowant in a last-ball thriller. 

And once more they found themselves up against it in a similar run chase after Cumnor had posted 135-2 off 20 overs, having been put in to bat, with Dylan Driscoll hitting an unbeaten 66. 

Horspath were reduced to 11-3 with paceman Abhir Joshi producing a devastating opening burst to claim two wickets after Sam Down had made the breakthrough. 

Opener Alfie Turner (25) and Saif Dogar (20) led the fightback, but when Luke Heritage was run out going for two at the non-striker's end by a terrific throw from the cover boundary, Horspath had it all to do at 84-7. 

However, Joe Gibbs and Rayaan Dogar then shared a gritty eighth-wicket stand of 41. When Dogar hit successive deliveries for six over long on by the nets and for four in the 18th over, it looked as if the hosts may again pull victory out the fire, having reached 125-7.

Saif Dogar in full flight against Cumnor

But Cumnor had crucially kept Joshi back for the penultimate over and he returned to bowl Gibbs for 21 with a cracking delivery, before Dogar (18) skied a catch to Alastair Gray at point to make it 126-9. 

George Crawford kept Horspath's hopes alive by edging Joshi's last ball for four past wicket-keeper Will Laird, and the hosts needed six to win off the final over. 

Two singles came off Driscoll's first four balls, but then a run out saw Horspath 132 all out and sparked Cumnor celebrations. Joshi was named man of the match for his outstanding figures of 4-14, while Thomas Lydford-Brace took 2-31. 

Horspath's bowlers had stuck to their task well earlier to hold Cumnor in check. Josh Cummings (1-16) made the breakthrough by having Sam Down caught by Charlie Turner and when Josh Richardson (1-25) had Will Price caught at deep mid-wicket by Gibbs for 19, Cumnor were 56-2. 

Horspath's Tejas Anand appeals against Cumnor

But then Driscoll made 66 not out from 51 balls with eight fours, sharing an unbroken third-wicket stand of 79 with Will Laird (33no) to take Cumnor to their final total, which was to prove just enough. 

In the semi-finals earlier in the day, Horspath raced to an eight-wicket win against Banbury, while Cumnor swept aside Hook Norton by ten wickets. 

Having bowled Banbury out for 111 after inserting them, Horspath stormed to victory off just 9.3 overs with Alfie Turner smashing 50 off 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while his brother, Charlie, cracked 39 from 25 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two maximums. They put on 93 for the second wicket as the win was secured in double quick time. 

Richardson had shone with the ball earlier, taking 3-25, while Saif Dogar picked up 2-14 as Banbury collapsed from 79-2 after handy contributions from Savi Sangha (26) and Joshua Taylor (23).

Posted by: Russ