Wednesday 29 June 2022

Horspath storm to dramatic victory in Hartwell Cup

HORSPATH pulled off a thrilling run chase for the second week running to make it two wins out of two in Hartwell Senior Cup Pool 2 with a scintillating six-wicket victory at Aston Rowant. 

Facing Rowant's 156-4 after the home side had elected to bat, Horspath were always in touch with the run rate and reached the last over on 150-4 when the game took a dramatic twist.

Elliot Ruff starred with 44. Picture: Rob Judges
The umpires ruled that Rowant had failed to bowl their overs in the allotted time and awarded Horspath six penalty runs - bringing the scores level.

Christopher Hofen duly completed victory by cracking Hayden Rossouw's second delivery through point to take the visitors to 157-4 with four balls to spare.

The win puts Horspath top of Pool 2 and sets up a potential group decider next Tuesday at home to Oxford Downs, who beat Aston Rowant in their opening game, but didn't feature in last night's matches. 
 
It was something of an anti-climax of a finish, but Rowant ultimately paid the price for a wayward opening with the ball which saw them concede 21 wides as Horspath raced to 37-1 off four overs.

Elliot Ruff then played the starring role, driving powerfully through the onside and extra cover to make 44 from 34 balls.

He shared a stand of 61 for the third wicket with Imraan Manack, who chipped in with a well-struck 26, before Will Hawtin smashed an unbeaten 29 off 19 balls as Horspath closed in on their target.

Earlier, the visitors had bowled well to restrict Rowant to 54-2 at the midway point of their innings following good spells by Subhan Javaid (1-27) and Charlie Turner (0-26).

Leg-spinner Josh Richardson picked up 2-26 with Rob Wight and Christopher Hofen taking good catches at long on and long off respectively to dismiss skipper Karl Penhale and Will Hammersley, who made 37 off 31 balls, as Rowant reached 75-4.

But then Leo Bethell hammered an unbeaten 43 from 24 balls, and Tristan Rossouw blasted an undefeated 39 from 19 deliveries in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 81 to take Rowant to their final total.

It represented a tough target for Horspath, but they rose to the occasion in splendid fashion to claim a well-deserved victory.


In last night's other Pool 2 match, Tiddington, who Horspath pipped in their opening game, beat Challow & Childrey by 10 runs.

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Posted by: Russ