HORSPATH give a league debut to young seamer Jason Cardy as they battle against relegation from Home Counties Premier League Division 1.

Cardy, who celebrated his 21st birthday this week, has been called into the side for their match at home to champions Henley tomorrow.

He is one of two changes after Horspath’s 44-run defeat in last week’s crunch battle against fellow strugglers Slough, which leaves them five points adrift of safety with two games to go.

Cardy and Asad Rafiq come in for James Fitzjohn and Jamil Faruk, who are unavailable.

“Jason’s been one of our most consistent performers in the 2nd XI and deserves his chance,” said skipper Will Eason, whose side have lost their last four games.

“After last week, we’re up against it.”

“It’s never a good time to play Henley.

“But it’s not a game we are expected to win, so in that sense the pressure is off us.

“We know we must up our performance and make sure we are not out of it before our last game against Great Tew.”

Speaking about last week’s defeat, Eason said: “Slough batted very well, while we didn’t bowl at all badly. But from 30-3 and 70-5 in our innings, we did well to get as close as we did.”

Great & Little Tew go into their match at Tring Park knowing victory will ensure another season in the top flight.

Tew make one change following their narrow eight-run defeat by Oxford last week.

Tom Price is required to play in an ECB under 17 competition and is replaced by Curtly Slatter, who has been making plenty of runs for the second team.

Tew looked down and out against when slipping to 76-6 in pursuit of their 226 target at Oxford, but a storming innings of 71 from Jancan Adams got them very close.

Skipper Harry Smith: “We don’t rely on one or two players – somebody always seems to come good when we need it.

“Now we are one game away from safety.”

Oxford, meanwhile are aiming to finish the season runners-up to

Henley.

“We don’t want our season to fade away, so we are targetting second spot,” said skipper John Barrett.

Oxford make one change for their match at home to already relegated Burnham, with Richard Musk returning for Ian Crosby and strengthening the bowling attack.

Banbury, who can still finish runners-up, visit High Wycombe, following their second tie of the season – at Finchampstead last week.

For the trip to mid-table side High Wycombe, they will be without Ollie Wright and Richard West, both of whom are attending weddings.

TOMORROW'S TEAMS

Great & Little Tew (v Tring Park, away): from Smith, White, Garrett, Slatter, Woodward, Lloyd Brock, Adams, Harris, Lawrence Brock, O Price, Thomas.

Oxford (v Burnham, home): Tong-Jones, Eltham, Charlesworth, Perkin, Barrett, Ayub, Mendis, Beer, Fallah, Musk, Simon.

Horspath (v Henley, away): R Eason, W Eason, Cosford, Jefferson, Cardy, Green, Skelton, Rafiq, Slatcher, Coleman, Belcher.