HORSPATH capped a triumphant season by storming to an eight-wicket vwin over Shipton-under-Wychwood in the Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup final at Witney Mills.

Skipper Will Eason’s side, who had already gained promotion to Home Counties Premier League Division 1, steamrollered Shipton in double quick time.

Needing 112 runs for victory, Horspath reached their target in the 15th over thanks to some spectacular hitting from Pat Foster.

The all-rounder hammered an unbeaten 62 off just 28 balls with three sixes and eight fours, finishing the game with a maximum.

He dominated a third wicket stand of 77 with opener Robbie Eason, who finished unbeaten on 30.

Earlier, young opener Jeremy Kirby had held Shipton together with a stylish 49.

Their hopes of a challenging total were ended when Shahbaz Ali raced through the lower order, taking 4-18 off three overs.

Shipton were all out in the 18th over for 111.

George Seacole claimed two cheap Horspath scalps but then Foster took charge to see them home.

Elsewhere, Oxford Downs beat Witney Mills by four runs in a thrilling Wilf Bennett Cup final.

But it was bad luck for Mills’ all-rounder Dan Swindells, who took 5-16 and scored 58, and still finished on the losing side.

James France and Wes Bartlett got Downs off to a flier, adding 109 for the first wicket off just ten overs.

Downs then lost eight wickets for ten runs, mainly to Swindells, before recovering to reach 159-9, thanks to 21 runs from the last of their 20 overs.

Swindells kept Mills in the hunt, but a spell of four wickets from Darryl Woods saw them fall just short.

So Downs, who were relegated from Cherwell League Division 1, ended a disappointing season on a winning note.

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