Horspath 4s (H) – Cherwell League Div 5c

A glorious Saturday saw a strong start to the season with WGCC running out convincing winners against Horspath 4s by 7 wickets.

Losing the toss, and with many of the opposition players still arriving, Wantage were sent out into the heat to field. Will H and Mabbs were given the new ball and built pressure with the latter picking up the first wicket of the season, LBW, in the 4th over making it 6-1. The first change brought Fulton and Willbury (Willbo Baggins) into the attack. Some tight bowling restricted the opposition, however a wicket was proving hard to come by. Some calamity work in the field, for which IC almost unanimously won Pigs Ear when he somehow threw the ball to cover from his position at point whilst going for a run out at the keepers end; and Willbury’s attempt at breaststroke across the outfield, summed up a frustrating spell for these two. Fulton on his final ball of his 6th over tempted the batsman into chasing a slightly wider delivery and a knick behind to the safe hands of Colin saw the second wicket fall, 67-2. IC and Tweeky continued the tight lines with IC picking up the opener in his second over with a beauty trapping him plumb in front. What followed will want to be forgotten by Tweeky, however we won’t forget; when the batsmen got themselves in a complete muddle with a lack of communication and Tweeky, collecting a rather wild throw, almost impaled himself on the stumps with a trip, a stumble and a log roll, whilst removing the bails with the batsmen well out their ground. 77-4 off 27. 

Missed catches, run outs and general errors in the field allowed a slight recovery with a 5th wicket stand of 42. However, a one handed diving catch at point from Jonny on debut, off Mabbs’ bowling broke the promising partnership that had threatened to swing momentum Horspath way. Next followed a Will H double; one bowled and the other into the ‘safe’ hands of Spenny…only a slight juggle; and a Willbury wicket – a lofted drive into the safe hands of Bhu at short cover. Horspath finished their 45 overs on 173-8. Bowling figures were as follows:

  • Will H – 9,0,40,2
  • Mabbs – 9,1,24,2
  • Alex F – 7,1,21,1
  • Will B – 8,0,37,1
  • IC – 5,0,24,1
  • Tweeky – 7,1,25,0

Needing 174 for victory, Wantage began in a controlled manner. Bhu and Colin playing steadily built foundations for a lasting partnership. A straighter and quicker delivery caught Bhu plumb in front – Bhu not waiting around for the decision departed for 5. 23-1 off 10. Skip came in at 3 and made a promising start before whacking a waist height full toss into the hands of the man at cover for 11. Back from his romantic boat trip with IC, Spenny came in full of confidence and eyeing up a big score, only to swipe at a wider delivery first ball and knick it behind for a goldy. 2 in 2 brought in Jonny and had a rather nervous home crowd fearing a collapse. 38-3 off 14. Colin and Jonny knew a rebuild was required, and although both rode their luck at times, the game was very much changed by a 100 run partnership in the space of 12 overs. Jonny reaching his debut 50 off 24 balls and Colin shortly after raising his bat too – from a more measured innings. They continued to bat with enjoyment and freedom, knocking the winning runs in the 30th over and tying up what was, in the end, a comfortable 7 wicket victory. Jonny finished on 83* from 46 balls and Colin 62* from 96 having batted through the innings.

  • MoM – Jonny for smashing an 83 on debut
  • Pig – IC for his ‘throw’
  • Champagne Moment – Jonny for his diving catch.

Jonny