CUMNOR produced a terrific fightback to retain the Honey-‘B’ Trophy with a 13-run win over hosts Horspath in a repeat of last year’s decider at the Oxfordshire Under 19 Cup Finals Day.

 

The holders were in all sorts of trouble at 32-5 after being put in to bat as they seeked to lift the trophy named in memory of the late Horspath player Morris Honey for a second successive year.

 

Horspath looked to be on course to avenge their three-run reversal of 12 months ago as Charlie Turner took 3-6 in a brilliant four-over opening burst, after Subhan Javaid triggered the collapse.

 

But Rory Nicholson (42) and Julian Laird (41no) revived Cumnor with an excellent sixth-wicket stand of 71 to take their side to 123-6 off 20 overs.
Horspath crashed to 20-3 in reply with paceman Abhir Joshi taking two wickets after Tom Lydford Brace made the breakthrough.

 

Josh Richardson and Christopher Hofen lifted the hosts’ hopes with a partnership of 56 for the fourth wicket before Laird bagged a brace of wickets in the space of three balls in the 14th over.
Hofen had made 21 when Rayaan Dogar, playing against his old teammates, ran in from long off to take a superb low catch, before Laird struck again to make it 78-5.

 

Horspath were still in with a chance while Richardson was at the crease, but three wickets in as many balls in a chaotic 19th over spelled the end for the hosts.
Two runs outs were capped by Richardson holing out to Alexander Laird at long on off Joshi for a fine 49 from 51 balls to make it 102-9 and leave Cumnor on the brink of victory.
Horspath’s last pair required 21 to win off the final over which proved out of reach as they closed on 110-9. Joshi finished with 3-23, while Laird completed an impressive all-round display with 2-20 to be named man of the match.

 

Cumnor skipper Sam Down received the trophy with the presentations made by Morris Honey’s daughter, Claire, and grandson David.

 

Chris Clements from Oxfordshire Cricket thanked the coaches, parents, players, Horspath CC for hosting, the scorers and finally Duncan Fendom, Leigh Hatton, Mark Jenkins and Colin Muttitt for officiating the day.

 

In the semi-finals, which were reduced to 15 overs earlier in the day due to fog and a heavy dew, Cumnor beat Banbury by 48 runs, while Horspath cruised to a nine-wicket win over Minster Lovell.

 

Down starred in Cumnor’s win with 46, setting his side on the way to 151-7 after they had been put in to bat. Will Price then took 3-20 as Banbury were held to 103-6 despite 31 from Ali Short.
Horspath, meanwhile, restricted Minster Lovell to 86-8 after inserting them with Richardson (2-8) and Charlie Turner (2-13) the pick of the attack, before Alfie Turner (29no) led the hosts to victory at 87-1 off just 8.3 overs.

Minster Lovell took the honours in the third/fourth place play-off with an eight-wicket win over Banbury.

 

Opener Ben Miller made 45 as Banbury posted 115-5 off 15 overs after electing to bat with Felix Jones taking 3-16.

 

James Mattinson (44) and Charlie Driver (40) then shared an opening stand of 86 to steer Minster to victory at 116-2 with 3.1 overs to spare.

SCORES
Semi-Finals
Minster Lovell 86-8 (15ovs), Horspath 87-1 (8.3ovs).
Cumnor 151-7 (15ovs, S Down 46), Banbury 103-6 (15ovs, A Short 31, W Price 3-20).

Final
Cumnor 123-6 (20ovs, R Nicholson 42, J Laird 41no), C Turner 3-6), Horspath 110-9 (20ovs, J Richardson 49, A Joshi 3-23).

Third/fourth Place Play-off
Banbury 115-5 (15ovs, B Miller 45, F Jones 3-16), Minster Lovell 116-2 (11.5ovs, J Mattinson 44, C Driver 40).