OSWESTRY lost ground on their promotion rivals on Saturday when they had to settle for a winning draw against struggling St Georges in a game badly affected by rain.
In all, 49 of the scheduled 110 overs were lost to the weather, and in the circumstances Mark Robinson's side did well to earn 14 points from the match.
Highlight of the game was a superb unbroken stand of 151 between Alex Huxley (79no) and Robbie Clarke (66no), which enabled Robinson to declare on 188-3 after 31 overs.
With Jonathan Miles removing danger man Brendan O'Keefe for a duck and Warrick Fynn taking 3-35, Oswestry put themselves in with a chance of an unlikely victory by taking six wickets in the first 14 overs of the St Georges innings.
But the visitors' skipper, Chris Miller, scored a fine 59no as the remaining 16 overs failed to produce a wicket, and the Dragons finished on 166-6.
Oswestry Seconds forged 32 points clear at the top of the Birmingham League 2nd XI Division Two (North) with a crushing victory at St Georges.
Peter Holloway (60), Alex Brindle (45) and Owen Johnson (37) were the chief contributors as Oswestry reached 221-9.
St Georges were then bowled out for just 69, with Ben Parker-Marshall taking 3-15. There were two wickets apiece for Josh Coleridge, Brindle, and Johnson.
Oswestry Thirds suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Wroxeter Seconds in a crunch match in Division Four of the FBC Manby Bowdler League.
Dominic Bright continued in his rich vein of form with 47 as Oswestry made 152-4 in their 40 overs, with Dave Shaw hitting 38 and Adam Woodcock 24no.
But the experienced Paul Massey led Wroxeter to 154-3 in reply.
Oswestry Fourths were also beaten, going down by five wickets to Knockin Thirds.
Andrew Clarke top-scored with 38 in Oswestry's 139, and the only other players to reach double figures were Nick Woodcock (35) and James Bradbury (22). Barrie Hawkin was the pick of the Knockin bowlers with 4-31.
Alistair Dougan (55) and Gary Darlington (30) then steered Knockin to 142-5, with youngsters Owen Aspinall and Dominic Kular taking two wickets each.
Oswestry Firsts are in action again at Morda Road this Saturday when they take on Tamworth in a key promotion clash (noon). The Seconds visit Fordhouses. Oswestry Thirds are away to Knockin Seconds, and the Fourths entertain Ellesmere Seconds at Oswestry School.