Warrick Fynn leads Oswestry to 20-run victory

Warrick Fynn, so often Oswestry’s batting hero in seasons past, produced another outstanding performance on Saturday with an unbeaten century, setting up a 20-run victory over Halesowen at the Stonehouse Oval.

Ground staff had worked tirelessly to ensure the game started on time, following the previous day’’s deluge, and when Dean Suter lost the toss for the fourth time in succession, Oswestry were put into bat in conditions always likely to favour the Worcestershire side’s attack.

But the Bordermen applied themselves really well with every batsman contributing, and it was Fynn who led the way with his trademark driving, pulling and flicks off the hip.

After Joe Carrasco had departed to a brilliant overhead catch at midwicket with the score on 37 and Mattie Richards fell 34 runs later runs later, Fynn and Alex Huxley (29) shared in an important 79-run third-wicket partnership .

Fynn, joined by Roman Walker, fresh from his Glamorgan first-team one-day debut in midweek, took the score beyond 200, before Walker attempted to go over the top once more, only to sky a catch off Eddie Rhodes for 24. With four overs to go Fynn, who finished 124 not out from 145 balls, guided Oswestry to a competitive 237-5 off their allotted 50 overs.

Rhodes was the visitors’ best bowler, taking 2-42, and there were two wickets also for left arm spinner, Masharraf Shazad.

Halesowen, in reply, were soon in trouble as Walker, roaring in from the Morda Road end, removed Shropshire man Ryan Lockley, fellow opener Harry Baddams and Ramy Jaswal with just 25 on the board.

Ian Davies sharing the new ball in the absence of the unavailable Ben Roberts again proved his worth in early season conditions, conceding just 17 runs off 10 frugal overs, and taking the wicket of Hassam Quami to a brilliant catch by Chris Cathral at square leg.

The removal of Shropshire professional and danger man, Alex Kervezee for a classy 34 , by Larry Samarakoon, with a fine delivery, opened the door at 84-5 , but there was still work to be done.

The Halesowen latter order made a spirited reply with keeper Wes Griifiths (56) Mazzard (20) Hassan Akram (30) and Rhodes (28) taking the game into the penultimate over the visitors were finally bowled out for 217 with 11 balls to spare in a tense finish.

Walker (3-29) was the pick of the Oswestry bowlers with two apiece for Joe Carrasco and Jonny Davies.

Oswestry’s third win in 4 games lifts them into third spot in the table, one point behind Leamington. On Saturday the Morda Road side travel to Malvern when they take on Barnards Green, posing a selection headache for skipper Suter with a near full squad likely to be available.

Oswestry seconds lost by four wickets to Shelton second XI in their Shropshire League Division Three match. Oswestry were dismissed for just 56 with batting always a challenge on the home wicket which had been relaid during the winter.

Young Josh Darley (16) and skipper Alec Davidson (14) were the only players to reach double figures. Joe Timmis and Michael Bishton did the damage. Shelton reached their target in the 22nd over with four wickets to spare – Davidson picked up four wickets and there were two wickets also for Darley.

On Sunday, the thirsd XI thrashed Ellesmere’s thirds by 10 wickets – Tommy Brommagh was 36 not out and Euan Roberts 32 not out as they chased down 72.