CRICKET: Horspath find calypso stars too hot

7:11pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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Horspath got a taste of real calypso cricket as they warmed up for the new season with a tour of Barbados.

The 60-strong party, which included 20 playing members, discovered that despite the dip in fortunes of the West Indies team in the last two decades, there's still plenty of high quality players in the club sides.

Fielding a mixture of first, second and third team players, The Oxford Times Cherwell League side put up a creditable display as they went down by 52 runs to St Catherine's at St Phillip in their opening game.

The hosts took advantage of a series of dropped catches to make 221-8 off their 40 overs with Barbados international Kenroy Williams making 41, Will Eason taking 3-17.

In reply, Horspath made 169-6 built round determined knocks from Robbie Eason (57) and Mohson Rana (41).

The tourists then faced the Police, who produced an awesome display to record a 175-run victory at Weymouth St Michael.

Larry Babb, whose 61 included five sixes, led the onslaught with Barbados international Antonio Mayers (58) and Rudolph Clarke (43) helping rattle up a massive 265-5 off 28 overs.

Horspath were shot out for 90 with Nick Birks (20) top-scoring as left-arm spinner Sadiq Hill took 4-6 and seamer Callitos Lopez 3-37.

After the game against Conrad Hunte at St Andrew was washed out, Horspath were on the receiving end of more fireworks against North Stars at St Lucy.

Reydon Toppin smashed 65, while Andy Griffith (34) and Raymond Kellman (33) hit three sixes apiece to help the hosts to 235 all out.

Will Eason, Tom Smith and Mohson Rana picked up two wickets each, while Alex Eason took a spectacular one-handed catch.

With left-arm quickie Roger Yearwood (3-9) and Shevel Griffith (3-15) doing the damage, Horspath were dismissed for 105 despite Robbie Eason making 34.

RESULTS St Catherine's 221-8 (40ovs, K Williams 41, T Watson 39, K Franklynn 35, W Eason 3-17), Horspath 169-6 (40ovs, R Eason 57, Mohson Rana 41).

Police 265-5 (28ovs, L Babb 61, A Mayers 58, R Clarke 43, C Alleyne 37no, K Miller 35), Horspath 90 (25.4ovs, S Hill 4-6, C Lopez 3-37).

North Stars 235 (30ovs, R Toppin 65, A Griffith 34, R Kellman 33), Horspath 105 (28.5ovs, R Eason 34, R Yearwood 3-9, S Griffith 3-15).

Tapeball cricket: George Park 169-6 (25ovs, W Griffith 60no, D Walcott 39), Horspath 115 (25ovs, B Cook 30).