Lord’s dream over for Horspath after defeat in Cornwall

HORSPATH’S dream of going all the way to Lord’s in the Voneus Village Cup were dashed in familiar fashion with a five-wicket defeat at Cornwall side Grampound Road in their replayed sixth round tie, writes Russell Smith.

Twelve months on from an agonising 14-run defeat away to the Devon & Cornwall area winners in the last 16, Horspath were foiled again at the same stage after being restricted to 127-9 off 40 overs on choosing to bat.

It always looked a below par total and despite a spirited bowling display, the Roadies captain Tom Orpe hit an unbeaten 56 to steer his side to victory at 131-5 with three overs to spare.

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The Oxfordshire champions embarked on the 500-mile round trip to the club near St Austell after the original tie at Horspath was abandoned following a massive deluge during the tea interval with the hosts having made 179 all out.

Batting first again, Horspath struggled to break the shackles of an accurate home attack, but at 88-3 had a platform to launch a late onslaught in the last 10 overs.

However, it never materialised as six wickets fell for the addition of just 39 runs, including Stephen Green, who top-scored with a valiant 44.

Tom Fox-Dean (3-25) led the way for the Cornwall Cricket League County Division 1 leaders well supported by fellow spinners Alex Lean (2-29) and David Neville (2-31).

Paceman Asad Rafiq (2-22) gave Horspath hope by reducing the hosts to 17-2.

But Orpe and Lean steadied the ship for the Roadies, taking the score on to 49, before the latter was bowled for 17 by off-spinner Amin Rafiq, who returned impressive figures of 1-9 from seven overs.

With leg-spinner Josh Richardson (2-17) producing a superb spell to pick up a couple of wickets and make it 74-5 the game was still in the balance.

However, there was to be no further joy for the Cherwell Cricket League Division 1 leaders as Orpe was joined by Harry Gregory (23no) in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 57 to see the Cornish side home at 131-5 with three overs to spare.

The Roadies skipper went to his 50 with a four, before sweeping the next ball to the boundary to bring his side victory, having faced 83 deliveries with four boundaries and the only six of the match.

Grampound Road are now at home to Painswick (Gloucestershire) in the quarter finals on Sunday.

Scores: Horspath 127-9 (40ovs, S Green 44, T Fox-Dean 3-25), Grampound Road 131-5 (37ovs, T Orpe 56no).