A TOTALLY inept batting display saw Oswestry crash to a 134-run defeat at Morda Road against a Himley side who had started the day bottom of the Birmingham League Division One. After the home bowlers had done well to keep Himley down to 221-8 on a perfectly good Morda Road wicket, Oswestry crashed to 87 all out. Former Indian Test star Wasim Jaffer led the way for Himley with an impressive 88. But home skipper Mark Robinson bowled well to finish with 5-54, and Oswestry went in for tea with a realistic chance of victory. Once Warrick Fynn was dismissed by a brute of a ball, however, the innings simply collapsed. Michael Johnson top-scored with 18, but no batsman really came to terms with Himley’s opening attack of Jamie Turner (5-45) and Elliot Hopkin (2-23) A FINE all-round display by 14-year-old Xavie Clarke helped Oswestry Seconds move into second place in the Second XI (North) table with a six-wicket success at Pelsall Seconds. Leg-spinner Clarke took 3-37, Sam Huxley 4-4 and Jonny Davies 2-41 as Pelsall were bowled out for 178. Clarke then opened the batting and hit a fine 63, with 12 fours and a six, as Oswestry made light work of their target. Clarke and Josh Kirk (21) put on 83 for the first wicket before Ryan Morris (28no) and Steve Humphreys (26no) completed the job at 184-8 – Morris finishing the match with a six. OSWESTRY Thirds are also on a roll and they came back from Harpers with a 101-run victory.Three batsmen – James O’Reilly, Adam Woodcock (both 49) and Martin Chambers (47) – just missed out on half-centuries as Oswestry piled up an impressive 243-8 off their 40 overs. Michael O’Reilly had opened up with a breezy 26 before being run out. Spinners Sam Davies (5-31) and Adam Woodcock (3-19) then proved too hot for the home batsmen to handle and Harpers were bowled out for 142. OSWESTRY Fourths’ under-fire skipper Nick Woodcock, who saw his men bowled out for just 18 the previous week, promised that they would rise “like a phoenix from the ashes”. And he was nearly proved right as they just failed to snatch victory in a real thriller against Newtown Seconds at Morda Road on Sunday. Newtown made 171-9 off their 40 overs, with the impressive Matt Gale taking 4-34, Jack Grainger 3-29 and Matty Davies 2-17. Oswestry made a brave bid to get the runs, with Jim Phillips, Dave Shaw and Dan Graham all passing 30, but they ended agonisingly short at 167-9. Top-class T20 cricket comes to Morda Road Wednesday when Oswestry entertain Shrewsbury in the second round of the Birmingham League knockout (6.30pm).Oswestry will be looking to return to winning ways in the league on Saturday when they are at home to Moseley (12 noon). The Seconds visit Bridgnorth Seconds in a top-of-the-table battle, while the Fourths are away to Wroxeter Grove Fourths. Oswestry Thirds take on Wroxeter Grove Thirds at Morda Road on Sunday (1.30pm).