Horspath 2nd beaten despite Javaid and Betts's efforts

SUBAN Javaid claimed his first five-wicket haul and Tom Betts hit a maiden half-century - but it couldn't save Horspath 2nd from a 59-run defeat at home to Buckingham 2nd in Cherwell League Division 2. 

 

Javaid returned figures of 5-47 from 14 overs as the visitors posted 258-8 after electing to bat.

First loss in 
five games

He struck twice as Buckingham were reduced to 43-3, before Brian Joseph (89) and skipper Steve Beck (58) put on 121 for the fourth wicket. Joseph's runs came off 78 balls with 15 fours and a six, while Beck faced 60 deliveries and hit seven boundaries and two sixes.

Erasmus Du Toit, with 2-59 from 17 overs, supported Javaid, who returned to the attack to complete his haul, but Horspath were still faced with a formidable target as they attempted to stretch their four-match winning run.

Acting skipper Joey Todd and Christopher Hofen got their reply off to a good start with 69 for the first wicket, before the former fell for 41.

Hofen also made 41 as Horspath reached 129-3 with Betts in good form. He reached his fifty with the side 170-4, but Horspath then collapsed to 199 all out with Faiz Idris unable to bat due to injury.

Betts was left unbeaten on 68 from 76 balls, which included seven fours and a six, as James Gear (6-29) did the damage with the innings featuring six lbw victims.

Despite the defeat, Horspath remain third ahead of next Saturday's trip to unbeaten leaders Brackley.

Posted by: Russ