HORSPATH skipper Will Eason believes 15-year-old Harrison Ward will be an instant hit on his Division 1 debut at Henley tomorrow.

Left-hand batsman Ward, who attends St Edward’s School in Oxford, comes into a side who have lost their opening two matches of the season.

He replaces unavailable bowler Pat Foster, who took two wickets in last weekend’s 16-run defeat at home to Harefield.

Despite Ward’s age, Eason is confident the occasion will not affect the teenager.

“I think he will take it in his stride,” he said.

“There is no pressure on him at all.

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“He has got plenty of senior players around him who will help him through.

“If I felt there was too much pressure on him I might not have given him the opportunity.”

Eason continued: “He has got huge potential and certainly does not look like a 15-year-old.

“It is something as a club we try and do in terms of getting the youngsters in the side.

“If they are good enough they are old enough and he is a real prospect.

“I’m sure he is looking forward to it.”

After defeats to Banbury and Harefield, Horspath travel to defending champions Henley in search of their first win of the season.

With Foster out of the side, Shahbaz Ali and Adam Mould could be asked to show their worth with the ball.

Eason added: “We have been bowling really well.

“There are a couple of guys within the team that have not been used yet so it will be an opportunity for them to get some overs under their belt.

“Shahbaz Ali and Adam Mould bowled a lot during pre-season and they will be ready for the ball.”

Banbury look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Harefield.

Former Australian Test wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Paine hit 109 off 128 balls in last week’s 133-run victory at Tring Park.

It followed a 62-run win over Horspath on the opening day.

Luke Ryan’s side are level on 40 points at the top of the division with Henley and High Wycombe.

Horspath (v Henley, away): Cutter, R Eason, Phillips, Ali, Mould, Davies, Price, W Eason (capt), Faruk, Belcher, Ward.