Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League

ROBBIE Eason has challenged his Horspath teammates to compile another unbeaten run ahead of tomorrow’s Division 2 West clash at home to Gerrards Cross.

Horspath saw their 35-match sequence without defeat end at home to Burnham last week, but captain Eason is urging his men to stay positive.

Batsman Adam Krol returns in place of bowler Mitchell Meredith.

“Our run lasted a long time, but we just need to get another one going,” said Eason.

“Krolly is a character and will give us a boost coming back.”

Eason added: “We were pleased to keep Burnham down to 210. Paul Jeacock bowled really well to tie down one end.

“We had opportunitioes with the bat, but showed we can be a little bit naive.

“We know how difficult it will be in this league.”

Michael Beard comes into the Thame Town side to visit Reading, with Nilesh Patel dropping out.

Gloucestershire Academy all-rounder Beard is available while taking his exams at school.

Vice-captain Michael Higgs said: “We missed a great opportunity to win on Saturday.

“Their skipper gave us an extra two overs and it’s a shame we didn’t punish that.

“Over the past two years we’ve had two low-scoring, but very close games at Reading.”

Aston Rowant have named an unchanged side as they seek their first win at home to Harefield.

Captain Wes Morrick said: “We have started slowly as we tend to do.

“In the last two weeks, we have been outplayed and are looking to bounce back.”

Oxford add batsman John Barrett and seamer Brad Sutherland to their squad for the visit of Welwyn Garden City in Division 1.

All-rounder Stefan Van Dyk is unavailable, while seamer Tom Geeson-Brown is ruledout with a side strain.

Skipper Jason Harrison said: “John has been on the periphery for the last year or so and has impressed when he has come into the side.

“This is an opportunity for him and Brad, who is a good bowler in English conditions, to show what they can do if they are selected.”

Oxford are level on points with leaders Banbury, but Harrison is not getting carried away.

“For me, the quality of performance is more important,” said Harrison.

“At this stage, the table doesn’t represent that much.

Oxfordshire seamer Ashley Blanchard returns in place of Ollie Wright as Banbury visit Harpenden.

Captain Ian Hawtin is delighted to see his side on top of the pile.

“It is a good start and we want to continue it,” said Hawtin.

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

Banbury (v Harpenden, away) Sabin, Hawkes, Haupt, Shahbaz Ali, Tew, E Phillips, Radford, Ryan, Hawtin (capt), Blanchard, J Phillips.

Oxford (v Welwyn Garden City, home): from Harrison (capt), King, Laudat, Ferraby, Perkin, Crosby, Hole, Mendis, I Evans, Usman Arif, Barrett, Sutherland.

Aston Rowant (v Harefield, home): Cossins, Morgan, Watling, Leon, Cook, Cooper, Morrick (capt), Needham, Penhale, Humphreys, Leaney.

Horspath (v Gerrards Cross): Murray, Phillips, R Eason (capt), Hutchison, Krol, Jehan Mohammed, Wynd, W Eason, Creed, Skelton, Jeacock.

Thame Town (v Reading, away): P Patel, Neilson, Higgs, Parmar, Barnett, Beard, S Patel, Bhatti, Lachlan (capt), Desai, Rooney.