Hawtin hammers half-century as Horspath post friendly win

WILL Hawtin hit a fine half-century as Horspath opened their pre-season programme with a 20-run win in their first meeting with Stoke Green at the Recreation Ground.

Will Hawtin made 73 from 97 balls

Opening the batting, he made 73 from 97 balls with ten fours and a six to set Horspath on the way to 198-6 off 40 overs. 

 

The hosts' total was boosted by an unbroken seventh-wicket stand between new recruit Saqlain Choudhary (42no) and Jehan Mohammed (22no).

Raja Khan took 2-44 for the Thames Valley League champions, but the pick of the attack was former Henley left-arm spinner Gurveer Singh, who returned 1-19 from his eight overs.

Horspath then bowled out the visitors for 178 with off-spinner Alfie Turner (4-37) leading the way, while leg-spinner Josh Richardson took 2-16 and skipper Max Smith 2-28 as opener Jasraj Ghrial (33) top-scored.

Meanwhile, opener Tejas Anand shone with a half-century as Horspath 2nd went down by 53 runs in their friendly at Stoke Green 2nd.

Chasing the hosts' 237-8 off 40 overs, Anand made 71 with sevens fours and two sixes before Horspath fell to 184 all out. Dilraj Malhi (3-23) starred for Stoke Green with Herinder Randhawa (2-8), Saud Ahmed (2-25) and Chirag Desai (2-29) also among the wickets. 

 

Earlier, Horspath's bowlers had reduced the home side to 160-8, before an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 77 between Gully Khan (46no) and Tegh Banse (32no) took the game away. Christopher Hofen (2-22) and Peter Wheeler (2-40) were the visitors' most successful bowlers. 

 

Horspath continue their pre-season build-up with the 1st and 2nd XI away to Oxford on Saturday, while the 3rd XI visit Bicester & North Oxford 2nd.

Then on Sunday, Horspath are away to Great & Little Tew in the Voneus Village Cup first round.

Posted by: Russ