Horspath 24 July 2025

Manager Ayyaz Mallick

Match Drawn

Horspath 187 for all out  (Arsalan Khattak 18 for 4)

SOA 162 for 9 

A sunny day and a merry band of cricketers and characters, town and gown, the students and the professoriate, all under the banner of the SOA.

A highly anticipated clash of titans and a gentlemen’s agreement, keeping in mind the respective strenghts of the sides: Horspath to bat first, SOA to chase.

Opening spells by SOA/Oxenford-ers Sattyam Bankar and Mehadi Hassan were threatening and tight but without any luck. The first change bowlers though capitalised on the pressure, helped along by same sharp behind the stumps- and cordon-catching. Two batters got to 50s, but Horspath never really got going. All out for 187.

In the absence of tea, SOA Captain/Match Manager’s copious supply of cake was appreciated by players and umpires alike.

Sugar-high also meant SOA confidence was sky-high in chasing the target down — the Captain Ayyaz Mallick even putting himself down at 11. But the slow wicket and accurate bowling meant that we struggled as well. And when the skipper walked out to bat, there was still more than half an hour of play left. Olympian patience by Messrs Hassan and Mallick, amidst a very excitable Horspath fielding contingent, made for an exciting finish. The game once again going down to the wire, but SOA escaping with a hard-fought draw.

Many thanks to Fred for scoring and Mike Knox for umpiring!