Monday 4 July 2022

Rana and Eyles sparkle before downpour denies Horspath 2nd

MOHSON Rana and Tyrone Eyles hit superb half-centuries before Horspath 2nd were denied the chance to push for victory in a rain-affected draw at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood in Cherwell League Division 2.

The home side were in trouble at 61-5 after being put in to bat, before Eyles and Pete Healey turned the innings round with a sixth-wicket stand of 92.

Mohson Rana hammered an
unbeaten 58 from 69 balls
Eyles smashed 50 off 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Healey hammered 40 from 35 deliveries.

Rana then rolled back the years to compile an unbeaten 58 off 69 balls with seven fours and a six, putting on 71 for the ninth wicket stand with Subhan Javaid (23) to take Horspath to 256-9.

Better known for his bowling, it was Rana's first half-century since he made 51 against Cropredy in 2014. Harry Davies (4-58) and Arun White (2-43) did the early damage for the visitors.

Mark Skelton removed both Shipton openers cheaply, before Stephen Green (2-4) picked up two victims - including Freddie Norridge (34) - bowling seam instead of his occasional leg-spin as Shipton stuttered to 82-5 before the rain came to their rescue, leaving the hosts frustrated.


The 16-point haul from the draw takes Horspath up to second - their highest position this season - just four points behind leaders Bledlow Village.


Horspath 3rd's five-match winning streak in Division 3A came to an end when their game away to Oxenford was abandoned at the halfway point due to rain.

The visitors may well have been grateful the weather intervened after crashing to 137 all out following their decision to bat.

Only skipper Ryan Hicks (43) and Luke Heritage (28), making his comeback after breaking a finger, showed any resistance as Amer Ali (4-27) and Hamish Couper (3-44) polished off the batting after Rishab Vudathu (2-19) made early inroads.

However, rain meant there was no further play with both sides taking seven points.



Horspath 4th battled their way to a slice of the points in a rain-affected draw at home to Division 5C leaders East Oxford 2nd.

The visitors posted 218-8 dec after being put in to bat with Armughan Shahid hitting 87 and Adnan Hamid 31.

Euan Barrett and Tom Smith took a wicket apiece, before Robin Pykett (3-20) and Chris Hotchen (3-42) pegged East Oxford back.

Skipper Craig Wharton made 32 at the top of the Horspath order, but the side had slumped to 81-6 when the game was called off. Zahid Ali (2-10), Zarwali Ahmadzai (2-27) and Sajjad Khan (2-36) shared the wickets.



Posted by: Russ