Horspath narrowly failed to record a much needed victory as Reading’s ninth wicket pair hung on for a draw in their Home Counties match on Saturday.
Once again Horspath lost the vital toss and were inserted. They quickly lost the wicket of Robbie Eason to Jamie Hoddle’s impressive left arm seam. Watched by his more famous father Glenn, he went on to record figures of 6–53.
Joey Todd and Jimmy Phillips took the score on to 52 before the latter also fell to Hoddle. Todd went on to complete a fine maiden Home Counties 50 in partnership with Matt O’Connor (14) before falling to the leg spin of Alex Hartley straight after.
All Horspath’s middle order were contributing with Aussie Tim Hutchison, in his last game, playing probably playing his most valuable innings in scoring 43 and there were signs of a welcome return to form for Andy Wynd, before he once again became the victim of an attempted reverse sweep for 29. Horspath innings closed on a satisfactory 217 -9.
Adam Kroll’s decision to open up with the off–spin of Paul Jeacock quickly paid dividends as he captured the wickets of the two Reading openers. With Mark Skelton weighing in with a brace of wickets and then with Hoddle and Camilus Alexander both falling cheaply to Paul Jeacock, Horspath scented victory.
However a long defensive partnership between Kang (32) and Luke Beavon (22 no) edged Reading towards safety before Jeacock returned to trap Kang and Skelton quickly followed with that of Ian Slatcher (8). However, the Beavon brothers managed to negotiate the last four overs as Reading closed on 140-8, Jeacock returning the marvellous figures of 5-27 from his 23 overs, and Skelton 3-47.
