CHAMPAGNE celebrations capped newly-crowned champions Horspath’s season after they completed the Home Counties Premier League campaign unbeaten.

Their final game against Datchet was abandoned due to rain with the visitors having rattled up 265-7.

They may have had the weather to thank for keeping their record intact after opener Gareth Harte hit a brilliant 136, but there was no dampening Horspath’s spirits.

Captain Will Eason said: “The hardest thing when you get relegated is to go straight back up and it is a massive achievement by all the players.

“When you look at the competition in the league to not lose a game to any of them is a brilliant effort. I am very proud of that. It is phenomenal.”

The impressive Harte’s runs came off 121 balls, and included three sixes and 20 fours, after Datchet had elected to bat.

Tom Lambert then took up the attack to hammer 54 from 60 deliveries, with two sixes and five fours, before the heavens opened just as the visitors completed their innings, which had been reduced to 48 overs due to earlier rain.

Left-arm spinner Lloyd Belcher, who picked up 1-26 from his ten overs, was the pick of the Horspath bowlers, taking his tally for the season to 38.