Oxley’s delight at gritty chase
Horsham CC pulled off a commendable, gritty win at home to Brighton & Hove to go second in the Sussex Premier League.
After bowling out Brighton for 165, then being a parlous 62-6 in reply, Horsham did very well to secure victory.
Brighton elected to bat, and at 70-1 there was no hint of trouble, but after the openers, skipper Bryce Hounsome and James Degg, were dismissed for 22 and 32 respectively, three quick wickets for Ben Williams reduced them to 90-5.
Will Sheffield (27) was aided by the lower order, but Williams finished with 4-29, Will Beer and Nick Cooper grabbing two scalps apiece.
A target of 166 is not usually defendable at Horsham HQ but Sheffield took five of the first six wickets, the 21-year-old former Sussex seamer finishing with 6-60.
With 104 still required and just four wickets left, it took considerable resolve from Horsham captain Nick Oxley, with 90 at a shade faster than a run a ball, to take his side to within 12 of victory.
Keeper Sam Bell’s unbeaten 31 from 88 balls got Horsham across the line by two wickets, earning the maximum 30 points.
Oxley said: “They got off to a flyer, but then we bowled well to keep them down to reasonable target, only for Will Sheffield to bowl well, too. When Sam (Bell) came in, I just told him to do what he did last week – and he did! He’s our Mr Reliable and it’s great to have him coming in at eight.
"We’re surprising ourselves with our results at the moment with winning momentum.”
On Saturday, Horsham travel to promoted and in-form Bognor.