Horspath drew with bottom-of-the-table Gerrards Cross on Saturday despite a good knock off 85 by opener Robbie Eason.
The result sees Horspath one place above their hosts in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Division 2 West. Captain Adam Krol lost the toss and Horspath were put in to bat in bowler friendly conditions.
However, the opening pair of Matt O’Connor and Eason were able to see off the opening attack with few alarms. The partnership had progressed to 65 before O’Connor was caught at mid off from the off spin of Stuart Rimmer for 31. Jimmy Phillips joined Eason and they saw Horspath to 109–1 at lunch.
Gerrards Cross reverted to an all spin attack of Rimmer and the leg spin of Matt Watson. With deeply set fields acceleration was difficult. Jimmy Phillips fell in similar fashion to O’Connor for 35.
Tim Hutchison and Andy Wynd both fell quickly but a hard hit 18 from Mark Skelton provided impetus whilst Robbie Eason was back to his best form. Both fell before the end, Robbie spectacularly caught by Watson on the boundary. Jehan Mohammed and Will Eason then took the score to 209–7 at the innings closure.
With his first ball Mark Skelton removed the dangerous Jonny Hughes, aided by an excellent catch by Jimmy Phillips, and the same pair combined to dismiss Hamza Taj. Overseas player Nilly Mohammed enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Jack Kilgannon before the former needlessly ran himself out for 35.
When Kilgannon was out foxed by Paul Jeacock and James Webster was trapped by Jehan Mohammed for a duck Gerrards Cross were tottering on 99-6. However Watson was joined by captain Rimmer in a positive seventh wicket partnership of 46 that put the game in the balance. The belated introduction of Adam Krol into the attack saw him remove both players in an inspired spell.
At this point Gerrards Cross put up the shutters and batted out the last few overs despite Horspath ringing the changes to close the innings at 167-7 and secure the draw.
