Hit BY injuries and unavailability, Oswestry once again upset the form book gaining a priceless five-wicket victory over Bridgnorth to jump to fifth spot in the Birmingham League Division One on Saturday.

Without five first team regulars, including the injured captain Robbie Clarke, the young Oswestry side, whose average age was barely 23, pulled off another shock win with a performance full of character and haver turned around a season threatened by relegation to potential promotion.

A brilliant undefeated century by opening batsman, Joe Carrasco, secured a memorable victory as the Morda Road men chased down 211 after the home side had been dismissed in the 45th over.

The south Shropshire side, who, surprisingly, had left out county all-rounder David Laird for the game, were in all sorts of trouble as they slipped to 107-7 with Rituraj Singh and Warrick Fynn, doing the damage. Only opener Ian Gregory (40) showed any real resistance.

At 151-9, with skipper, Sam Whitney (27) back in the pavilion, the home side were, seemingly, well below par, on what was a good pitch. Not for the first time this season, however, Oswestry let matters slip as the 10th-wicket pair for Bridgnorth put on 60.

The hard hitting Adam Quinney scored a belligerent 77 as the visiting attack, wilting in the extreme heat, was dispatched into the market car park on several occasions.

Quinney was finally caught by Chris Catterall off the bowling of Roman Walker as the Bridgnorth innings closed on 211. Fynn (4-50) and Singh (4-62) were Oswestry’s best bowlers.

Oswestry suffered an early set back when Warrick Fynn was caught behind in the first over by an ex-county glove man, Gareth Mumford, standing up to Quinney. Mumford managed to cling on to the ball at the second attempt.

Carrasco, joined by young Josh Coleridge, patiently and methodically started to build the Oswestry reply, punishing anything off line. Coleridge, who made the most of being dropped early on at extra cover, went on to score a determined 44 before being trapped lbw immediately after the drinks break.

The Oswestry pair had put on 106 for the second wicket in laying the foundations for victory.

When Roman Walker fell to county spinner, Whitney’s “wrong-un” for an attractive 16, there was still work to be done, but Xavier Clarke (16), on his return from Shrewsbury School, gave Carrasco good support, as did Singh (19 not out) as Oswestry cruised to a five-wicket victory with nine overs to spare.

Carrasco, once again, underlined his ability to bat time and play the “big innings”, sending out a reminder to the County selectors.

Stand-in skipper, Dean Suter, who is enjoying an excellent season behind the stumps, was full of praise for his young charges.

He said: “We had our plans and executed them well against a good and experienced batting side”.

“We let it slip a little towards the end of their innings, but our batters did really well. Joe’s century was something special.

"The boys are really buzzing at the moment. There is terrific spirit in the side. We have now have 2 home games on the trot and go into them full of confidence."

The win leaves Oswestry on 142 points, level with their hosts on Saturday, and just 15 behind Shifnal in second.

Oswestry second XI secured a draw against their Bridgnorth counterparts at the Stone House Oval in the Reserve Division after the visitors had posted 310-6 with Matthew Martin 104 and Joe Smallman (36), putting on 120 for the seventh wicket.

Off spinner Sam Davies, was Oswestry’s most successful bowler with figures of 2-58. Oswestry, in reply, closed on 160-9 with young Josh Kirk making another half century.

There was good support from Chris Wiseman (27) and Ben Wilson (23). Ross Hurdley (3-17) and David Laird (2-44) were Bridgnorth’s best bowlers.

The fourth XI lost by nine wickets to Alberbury on Sunday.

This weekend, Oswestry will aim to close the gap on the top with a home clash with Himley while the seconds face Whitchurch.