MP Sports Cherwell League - Graham Scott's Match of the Day

Horspath reinforced their credentials as title favourites in Division 1 by hammering promoted Challow & Childrey on Saturday.

The club’s prospects have improved each year since their unhappy merger with Oxford fell apart in 2003, and they now have a squad that looks equipped to cope with the Home Counties Premier League.

Challow have the facilities to attract top players and enough experience in their side to survive in Division 1, but are still seeking their first win since returning to the top flight this summer.

On Saturday, they were put in to bat and made a moderate start before losing both openers with the score on 31.

Ryan Gordon (40) helped them recover to 110-4, but then they collapsed to 120-9 as none of the lower order had an answer to the spin of Paul Jeacock (4-27) and Ben Cook (3-23).

Challow’s final total of 145 was never likely to be enough against Horspath’s power-packed batting line up.

And so it proved as Chris Penner (45), Joe Todd (40) and inspirational skipper Robbie Eason (38no) led the home side to 148-2 in the 37th over.

  • Horspath 25pts, Challow & Childrey 3