CHERWELL LEAGUE

GRAHAM SCOTT’S MATCH OF THE DAY – HORSPATH V OXFORD DOWNS

HORSPATH saw their match curtailed by rain for the third week running, but remain hot favourites to win Division 1 for the second time in three seasons.

On each of the previous two Saturdays they looked more likely to lose than win when the weather intervened.

This week they were well placed to beat their most likely challengers for the title, Oxford Downs, but a shower cut short the visitors' innings by six overs.

As a result Horspath were denied the chance of claiming the three wickets they needed to clinch their first victory since June 9.

The hosts were always in the ascendancy, with Jimmy Phillips (80), Robbie Eason (78) and Patrick Foster all firing.

Tom Costley (3-62) and Simon Watkins (3-76) had to work hard for their wickets as Horspath posted an imposing 259-7.

James Ellwood (63) and Will Watts (55) gave Downs some hope after the interval, but Lee Mason took 3-36 and Shahbaz Ali 3-17 to put them in trouble.

But rain reduced their innings to 41 overs, which allowed Downs to escape with a draw.

This time last year Cumnor led the division with 168 points, but were overtaken in the second half of the season by Shipton-under-Wychwood.

But Shipton were only 18 points behind the leaders at this stage, whereas Horspath have already built up a 41-point lead. Surely no one will catch them.

Horspath 18pts, Oxford Downs 6