Horspath's hopes of becoming Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 champions were shattered by a 35-run defeat in a topsy-turvy encounter at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

The leaders’ loss opened the door for Reading, who took the title with a nail-biting two-wicket home win over Cove.

Having secured promotion last week, Horspath looked like they were on the way to adding the championship after putting Shipton in to bat and reducing them to 6-3.

Pat Foster removed brothers Joe and Ross Barrett before Will Eason bowled Craig Wood.

Jamil Faruq then had Andy Hemming caught by Foster at second slip.

But Simon Hole, who survived a confident lbw appeal from Shahbaz Ali on ten, stood firm.

However, with Anupam Sanklecha, Jason Hunt and Shaun Cross falling at the other end, Shipton were still struggling at 118-7.

But then Hole was joined by George Seacole, who made 40 off 39 balls with four boundaries and a six to take the score to 183-8.

Hole was finally dismissed for 83 off 132 balls, with five fours and two sixes as Shipton finished on 209-9.

Foster took 4-45, while Eason picked up 3-16 from his ten impressive overs.

Horspath rallied from having Kit Cutter bowled by Sanklecha to reach 106-1 in the 32nd over.

But then Robbie Eason was caught by Seacole off Jason Hunt for 51 off 101 balls, with five fours and a six, and Jimmy Phillips was run out in suicidal fashion for 38.

Wickets fell at regular intervals after that with Sanklecha (4-22) returning to polish off the tail as Horspath slumped to 174 all out.

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