HORSPATH beat Aston Rowant by 80 runs to become Oxfordshire champions of the Voneus Village Cup for the first time since 1979.

The hosts beat their Home Counties Premier League counterparts by 80 runs in the 40-over contest at the Recreation Ground to put themselves five wins from Lord’s in the prestigious competition.

Sulaiman Hussain was the first to go when he was bowled by Anton Eisner for nine, but Tom Coleman came in to help James Phillips steer Horspath to 40-1.

Rowant appeared to gain the upper hand when they claimed two wickets for one run, with opener Phillips bowled by Will Dobson for 17 and Elliot Ruff removed for a duck thanks to a superb catch off the bowling of Ben Porter.

Robbie Eason (12) and Jehan Mohammed were dismissed to leave Horspath 88-5, but Coleman and Patrick Foster changed the game.

The pair struck 76 (93) and 58 (55) respectively as they produced unbeaten knocks to see their side to 197-5.

Will Eason and Asad Rafiq quickly put Horspath in charge, the latter claiming two wickets as they reduced Rowant to 17-3.

The pace bowler picked up one more victim, with Foster claiming two wickets of his own, as the visitors slumped to 72-8.

Rowant’s tail wagged as they reached 117, Ben Knowler scoring 29, but he was removed by Lloyd Belcher as the captain secured a fifth regional Village Cup victory for Horspath.