Oswestry's first X1 rounded off their Birmingham League home programme for the season with a thrilling four-run win over Tamworth, and so completed an impressive double over their Staffordshire rivals.

Set 236 to win in 42 overs in a rain-affected game , the visitors went into the last 2 overs requiring 12 runs for victory with last wicket pair of Scott Daly and Dan Bowker at the crease.

With the last over under league rules due to be bowled by 7.30pm, skipper Robbie Clarke reverted to his spin attack with youngster Sam Davies charged with the heavy responsibility of bowling the crucial penultimate over.

Overseas professional Daly struck the second ball of Davies’s over high and long towards the deep mid-wicket boundary, only for Roman Walker to brilliantly hold onto over his shoulder.

But Walker’s right foot fell over the rope when completing the catch, much to the anguish of the Glamorgan rookie, and vocal home support.

Two easy singles saw Tamworth reduced the deficit to just four runs with eight balls to go in a game that had ebbed and flowed in the final hour.

But South African Daly, who had looked in complete control, wanted to retain the strike and chanced his arm with a quick run to fellow countryman Warrick Fynn who ran out out the right-hander, in controversial circumstances, for a fine 64.

There were wild celebrations from the Oswestry players who had held their nerve at the death. It was a wonderful spectacle of cricket, full of spice and drama in which Tamworth had played no small part.

Put into bat after a delayed start, Oswestry soon lost opener Fynn in search of his thousand runs for the season, when he hammered a short pitch delivery from James Rudge straight at brother Josh. Somehow the Tamworth fields-man managed to hang onto the ball. It was a bizarre dismissal with Rudge being felled to the ground in the process of taking the catch, and requiring attention.

Undeterred Joe Carrasco and wicket keeper Dean Suter, promoted up the order, put on 69 for the second wicket in even time, before Suter was caught behind off the bowling of Bowker for a stylish 43. Carrasco (30) followed shortly afterwards when trapped lbw by Bowker.

Skipper Clarke and Walker continued the good work putting on 75 for the fourth wicket before Walker was caught in the deep for a belligerent 41off 44 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

When Clarke (40) was dismissed with the score on 165-5 there was still batting to be done, as youngsters Josh Coleridge (30) and Charlie Morris (26) entertained spectators to a 58-run sixth partnership with some lusty blows. Oswestry finally closed at 235-9 off their allotted 32 overs.

Oswestry’s competitive total, initially, never looked in serious doubt, as the visitors slumped to 29-4 with veteran, Ian Davies claiming all four wickets to fall.

The dismissal of danger man Stuart Burrows, at second slip, will be long remembered those watching when Fynn dived full length to catch the Tamworth number five, one-handed inches off the ground.

Well ahead on the Duckworth/Lewis rules and the weather closing in, Oswestry appeared to be well in control until a rain break sent the game in a different direction.

Daly , Jason Jackman (41) and then skipper Maddox (56) all continued to score freely as the Tigers chased down what had appeared an unlikely victory. When that man again,Fynn ran out James Rudge for a valuable 21, the visitors required another 24 runs, with two wickets standing and still four overs to spare.

Josh Bowker was then bowled by the off spin of Joe Carrasco with the score on 222-9 before the Border men clinched victory in dramatic style with six balls to go.

Davies finished with 4-27 and Carrasco 2-30. Walker and Sam Davies took the other two wickets to fall

Oswestry play Leamington on Saturday and may well blood teenage prospects, Josh Darley and Floydd Owen who have performed well in the second team in recent weeks.

Oswestry’s second X1 Reserve Division match with C&R Hawks was cancelled owing to the ground being unfit to play.