Joe Carrasco was the star-man of Oswestry Cricket Club, after a superb all-round display guided the Bordermen to a a 65-run victory at Leamington in the Birmingham League on Saturday.

The county vice-skipper was back to his best with the bat, making a very disciplined half-century, before claiming five wickets and a run-out .

Oswestry now move up to fourth in the early season table.

It was an impressive performance by Dean Suter’s side who were without Roman Walker called in for the Glamorgan first team squad, and spin twins, Connor and Sam Davies .

After losing the toss, the visitors made an excellent start, with openers Warrick Fynn and Carrasco putting on 141 for the first wicket, before Fynn (64) and Carrasco (72) departed in quick succession. Carrasco’s innings included nine fours and three sixes.

Mattie Richards, Alex Huxley, Larry Samarakoon and Josh Coleridge all departed cheaply as Oswestry dramatically collapsed to 181- 7,with the home spinners Perry Derrick and Nabeel Asghar doing the damage.

It was left to bowlers Ben Roberts and Chris Cathrall to restore order as they added 65 priceless runs for the eighth wicket.

Roberts struck 44 not-out off just 49 deliveries with Cathrall, lending admirable support, as the Oswestry innings closed on 247-7. Derrick and Asghar finished with 4-47 and 3-33 respectively .

Runs were at a premium against a disciplined Oswestry attack which bowled a tight line throughout, and restricted the home batsmen , apart from Harrison Smith (52) and glove man Chris Calcott (49) Leamington were finally dismissed for 182 off 46 overs.

Ian Davies recalled to the team, showed his vast experience, claiming 2-35 off his 10 overs and there were two wickets also for Sri Lankan professional, Samarakoon, but it was Carrasco’s deceptive off-spin which stole the honours with a return of 5- 43, including the wicket of the dangerous, Willie Mashinge, a thorn in Oswestry’s side on previous occasions .

Suter was delighted wit his side’s performance and said after the game: “It was important we got back to winning ways after the disappointment of Bridgnorth.

“Warrick, Joe and Ben gave us a good, competitive total and we bowled and fielded superbly. Make no mistake, Leamington are a very decent side. It shows our strength in depth with players missing.”

Oswestry will be at home to Halesowen on Saturday (start 12 noon) who will be led by Shropshire professional and former Worcestershire player, Alex Kervezee. Missing for the visitors however, will be Shropshire’s new signing - the highly rated all-rounder, Charlie Hartley who has had first-class experience with Kent. He suffered a badly fractured finger recently, and could be out for up to eight weeks .

Oswestry seconds played their fixture at home against Ludlow seconds on the weekend.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat.

Top-order batsman Josh Darley hit an impressive 73 while Matthew Davies and Keenan Oakley were both caught out without adding any runs to his total.

Alex Roberts was next highest scorer as he hit 31, helping his side towards a total of 157.

Darley performed well when it came to fielding, catching out two of the Ludlow batsmen.

Ludlow were all-out for 76 giving Oswestry seconds the win.