The 1st XI travelled away to Thrapston CC, who were next to us in the league. The home side won the toss and elected to bat, on a flat surface, with the sun beating down. The Thrapston openers started well, capitalising on poor Horton bowling. Karan Parmar (9-0-56-2) made the breakthrough, trapping the overseas lbw. Anvit Arkanath (12-0-80-3) provided some control, but the runs kept coming. The home side reached 203-3 off 32 overs, and things were looking bleak. Horton dropped a series of chances and conceded many runs in the field. The game would chance when Will Smith (7.5-1-37-3) finally got one to hole out to a fine Joe Maw catch, igniting a collapse. Smith would pick up two more, Chandracant bowled one and Harry Mowat delivered s superb run out as the home side capitulated and were bowled out for 239, in just 41.2 overs. A massive turnaround and fine fighting performance from The House.

Horton’s response started strongly, with Fin Moffat finding the boundary with ease and Karan Parmar (37) supporting well. When Fin was bowled for 67 from just 53 balls, Horton had made a huge indentation in the chase at 114-1. A small wobble thanks to some tight bowling from the Thrapston veteran, had Horton at 137-4. Young Joe Maw and Anvit Arkanath put on a valuable 45 for the next wicket, before Anvit was bowled. At 182-5, Will Knibbs joined Maw and these two batted superbly with patience and application to see Horton over the line in the 49th over. Knibbs finished on 29* and Maw on 54*, his second 1st fifty of the season. Horton showed great grit and character to dig themselves out of a hole some poor bowling and fielding had led them into.

2nd XI vs. Bowden CC 2nd XI

The 2’s welcomed Great Bowden 2’s to Denton Road for our 9th Match of the season. Having lost the toss we were asked to bowl first on a roasting hot day!.
All the team stuck to the task in very hot conditions, supporting each other during the 3hrs we were in the field. There were wickets for Rory Monk (2), Steve Finch (1), Elliot Cantrell (2), Tom Hodgkinson (2) and Arnav Jain (2). Bowden finished their innings on 214 – 9 off their 45 overs.

We set about chasing 214 with Harvey Cooke and Arnav Jain opening the innings. Both Harvey and Arnav played well, rotated the strike nicely and took advantage of any balls which were off line or length. They put on a solid 59 partnership for the 1st wicket and got us off to a really good start.

This brought Harvey Banks to the crease. Harvey played extremely well and took responsibility for scoring the bulk of our runs, which was really impressive. Harvey was our stand out batter on the day and played shots all round the wicket, hitting to the ball so cleanly and with authority. Harvey eventually fell for 91 (14 x 4’s and 1 x 6) off only 74 balls!), 9 short of a well deserved hundred, but had done a lot of work in ensuring that the finishing line was in sight. There were useful contributions from Tom Hodgkinson (24), Zed Mirza (16 no) and Rory Monk (21 no) to see us over the line to a well deserved win with 6 over remaining and 5 wickets down.

3rd XI vs. Finedon Dolben CC 3rd XI

The 3rd team welcomed Finedon to a steaming hot Bozeadrome and various views were expressed on the wisdom of batting or bowling first. The skipper lost the toss and the Finedon skipper, who had also wanted to lose the toss said ‘reluctantly, we’ll have a bowl.’ When Horton were reduced to 39-5 it looked like a good decision. The young Finedon bowlers (particularly leg-spinner Singodia) made good use of the track, finding turn and uneven bounce to dismiss our batters, with only the skipper (24) and Amos (20) making double figures in the top 6. Soon we were 62-6 and a low total seemed likely. However, having the experienced Fraser-Allen batting 8 proved to be the side’s saviour, as Rob drove and pulled his way to a polished 44. He was well-supported by Vaaman (13) and Harry, and when the final wicket fell Horton had got up to 121, a creditable score.

The second half began with a welcome shower and some cloud cover to assist Kev and Harry. Kev’s command of line and movement soon found rewards, taking out the top three batters and ending on 4-30. At the other end Harry’s accuracy dried up the runs, perfect when defending a low total (6 overs, 1-10, economy 1.67), while also claiming the wicket of the Finedon skipper. Abhinav then produced a stunning piece of fielding to run out the dangerous Moors (and win the coveted Play of the Day trophy). At 39-5 the total of 121 looked far off, but Horton were well aware that only one good partnership might change that and so it was again to our credit that our change bowlers (Ian and James) kept up the pressure, backed up by another fine fielding display. James’s excellent spell, shaping the ball nicely, was rewarded with 3 scalps (3-16) and then Streety chipped in with another wicket, to result in Finedon being dismissed for 68. Another brilliant team effort and glory days in the heat at the Bozeadrome.

4th XI vs. Bowden CC 3rd XI

The Saturday could not have been better when we got to East Carlton to play Bowden 3s. A hard dry wicket, a fast outfield on a slope and 11 Legends – willing and able!!!

Winning the toss, Horton were only going to bat however the bounce of the wicket played a part in us getting 20-3. Thankfully, Harry Street (25) held the innings together and Siddhant Auddy (34) led the recovery. Siddy was again caught out by the bounce but with Nick Inwood (44*) managing the tail and with some lusty blows from Messrs Gallagher and Inwood Jr we got to 183 for 9. It was a gritty performance from us especially as the heat was so energy sapping, throw in some humidity and hard running and it really was a day to remember all those training sessions in the winter at Abington Park and Monday Nights at Denton Road – and this was going to play a factor when we took the field!!

Opening the bowling Alex “Stoksey” Monk was looking dangerous and the batsmen did well to dig him out. However, the Bowden openers, experienced campaigners, decided to attack the spin of Oscar Herbert and raced to 73 before Harry Street came into the attack to removed them both. With the game in the balance, it was going to take a moment of brilliance and it came from the Mini Monk taking an acrobatic catch off his own bowling to dismiss their skipper – all whilst wearing his hat backwards and his dad was not watching!! As Horton put the screws on, it was clear that the opening partnership was keeping Bowden ahead of the run rate and with balls falling in gaps and the heat sapping our energy we pushed hard and used the famous Clive Woodward mantra of TCUP – Thinking Clearly Under Pressure – which Krish and Henry Gallager did with a smooth classy non-panic run out. As the excitement built there was definitely a sniff of victory but 3 dropped catches in an over meant that Bowden got over the line in a way that the closeness of the game was not reflected in the scorecard.

With 8 youngsters in the team from Horton, all being part of proceedings was all about what our 4th XI is about. I do, in this dispatches, thank all the senior player you regularly miss Saturdays to enable this but also help with the coaching and running of the team.

We go again next week Legends!!!