Horspath 20 July 2020

Manager Sam Herbert

Lost by 14 runs

Horspath 292 for 9 (40 overs - H Ward 114, J Butcher 3-41, S Herbert 3-49)

SOA 278 all out (37.4 overs, J Butcher 81, O Deans 59, M Johnston 29, J Elliot 23, T Powell 21*)

Due to the numerous intervals imposed by the Covid-19 regulations, it was decided to reduce the game to 40 overs per side, but it still produced 570 runs. Spectacular batting, some ordinary bowling and a fast-scoring ground were the factors in this runs-fest.

Harrison Ward set the ball rolling - or soaring! - when Horspath batted first. The Oxfordshire player, who attracted the interest of Sussex, struck a stunning century off just 38 balls, surely one of the fastest against the SOA in their 87-year history. He struck 12 sixes and in his 114 which came off 42 balls in 50 minutes, which kept the lone scorer Richard Grover very busy. At one stage, Ward struck the first four balls of one over for six, but could not complete a maximum of maximums.

An unbeaten 57 by promising youngster Josh Richardson ensured that Ward's fireworks did not got to waste and helped the hosts to 292-9 from their 40 overs.

The SOA bowlers stuck to their task, none more so than Joe Butcher, who took 3-41 and skipper Sam Herbert, with 3-46. Henry Swayne also received less punishment than others.

Faced with this daunting total, SOA got off to a steady start. The acceleration was provided by Ollie Deans, who made a sparkling 59 from 32 balls. He was helped by a wayward over from the home captain Tommy Pritchard, which went for 33 runs. He finished with 3-93 off his eight overs.

To get close, the SOA needed a major innings and it came from the classy Joe Butcher, who hammered 81 off 56 balls with three sixes and eight fours. But with 29 needed from four overs, he was dismissed. SOA were eventually bowled for 278 in 37.4 overs to lose a memorable game by just 14 runs.

Everybody was just glad to be playing cricket again.