Oswestry remain well in the hunt for promotion from the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division One after a rain-affected six wicket win over Barnards Green at the Stonehouse Oval on Saturday.

Set a challenging 239 from their allotted 50 overs, Oswestry remained in control, when the rains, which had always threatened, finally came.

With 11 overs still to go and well ahead on the Duckworth Lewis rules, undefeated skipper Robbie Clarke and Roman Walker left the field for the last time with Oswestry on 190-4, as the rain swept in and the umpires called it a day.

Warwick Fynn, fresh from his county heroics in Bournemouth, and Joe Carrasco laid the foundations with an opening stand of 53, before Fynn was caught at deep mid-off, off the bowling of Worcestershire's George Rhodes.

Carrasco was joined by Joe Clarke, a late call-up to the side. Clarke, who some considered was a little unfortunate not to be making his England Test debut against India at Lord's, was in imperious form.

Clarke batted beautifully, and had reached 53 when he was brilliantly caught by county colleague Rhodes at mid-wicket, off the bowling of Josh Blunt.

Brother Xavier joined Carrasco as the Oswestry charge continued before the youngest Clarke (14) was caught and bowled by Rhodes, with the score on 160-3.

Carrasco fell 17 runs later for a fine 64 off 98 balls, which included six fours and one six; by then victory was well in sight, with the predicted bad weather quickly closing in.

Rhodes finished with figures of 3-43 off his 10 overs.

Earlier the Great Malvern side had been allowed to score freely after Walker had nipped out openers, Rhodes and Ryan Tongue cheaply.

Loose bowling and dropped catches helped the visitors cause with Adam Wiffen being one of the main beneficiaries before he was brilliantly caught and bowled by Charlie Morris for a belligerent 67.

Josh Tongue (39) Joss Blunt (24) and Dannie Rees ( 20) also cashed in as Clarke fiddled his attack with the Worcestershire side finally being bowled out in the 49th over.

Ian Davies, returning from injury, finished with figures of 4-50, while Walker picket up 3-27. Charlie Morris claimed 2-57 with the miserly Fynn conceding only 28 runs off his 10 overs and adding another wicket to his impressive tally of 34 for the season.

Oswestry travel to leaders Kidderminster on Saturday, having now moved up to fourth in the table, just seven points behind second placed Shifnal. The early season threat of relegation now seems a distant memory as Clark's men push for promotion.

Oswestry second XI went down to Lichfield in the Reserve Division despite a brave display.

Pete Holloway's young side scored 201-7 with a fine half-century from opener Alex Roberts, who scored 55 before he was bowled by Alan Blank.

Josh Darley, at the top of the innings, was also in the runs when he scored a fine 42 before he was caught by Pete Newton off the bowling of Liam Soleil while Sam Davies finished 40 not out as Oswestry posted a challenging score.

Newton's 3-45 was the pick of the home bowling while Soleil picked up two and one each for Blank and Robbie Stone.

Luke Elsmore's 60, batting at number four, set the platform for Lichfield to pick up a win but the Oswestry bowlers ran their hosts close.

Keenan Oakley and Davies removed both openers while Floyd Owen accounted for home skipper Stone on 32 as he threatened a big score as Oswestry gave themselves the best possible chance of the win.

However, Elsmore took the game to their visitors with a fine half-century but he was eventually dismissed for 60 by Darley, who also bowled Luke Foxley for 10 as Lichfield continued to lose wickets.

However, the sun was shining for Soleil as he was there at the end with Richard Cust to see the hosts to a three wicket win.

On Saturday, the second XI will host Pelsall's seconds at 12.30pm.

Meanwhile, the third XI's clash on Sunday was cancelled.