THE most successful season in Oswestry Cricket Club’s history ended in near darkness on Saturday evening, as the Third team played out a winning draw against Alberbury Seconds at Morda Road.
The last two Alberbury men at the crease, Rob Owen and Preston Fletcher, batted out the last nine overs in heroic fashion to save the game, and Oswestry Thirds had to settle for third place in Division Four of the FBC Manby Bowdler League.
Highlight of the game was another century by Oswestry’s Dominic Bright, who took his league runs tally for the season to 742 with a superb 115.
Bright hit 14 fours and three sixes, sharing an opening stand of 171 with Andrew Fraser (64) as Oswestry reached 242-8 in their 40 overs.
Alberbury’s Andrew Dale batted well for his 60, but with Iwan Roberts taking 4-26, Oswestry always looked the likelier winners.
They had the visitors 114-9 after 31 overs, but Owen (38no) and Fletcher saved the day for Alberbury.
Oswestry Fourths ended on a high note, recording a five-wicket win at Willey Seconds - their 11th victory of the season.
Josh Kirk was the pick of the Oswestry bowlers with 3-14 as Willey were restricted to 164-7 off their 40 overs.
Keith Sadler (27) got the Oswestry reply off to a steady start and it was left to youngsters Jonny Davies and Josh Kirk to see the side home.
Davies made 50 and Kirk completed an excellent all-round display by finishing on 53no as Oswestry reached 170-5.