Shropshire Star

Oswestry stage only game in Division One

Oswestry hosted the only match in the Birmingham & District League's Division One and earned a losing draw against promotion-chasing Wolverhampton.

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Reduced to 45 overs per side at the start, the second innings was further restricted to 35 overs after a further delay during tea at Morda Road.

But both sides will have felt the efforts made to ensure the game went ahead were worthwhile.

Alex Huxley (43) top scored and No.10 Daniel Bowen weighed in with a useful 32 not out to boost Oswestry's total to 203-9. Newcomer Ben Twohig took 3-57 and Adam Quiney picked up 3-62 for the visitors.

Former India Test batsman Wasim Jaffer hit 103 – his fourth century in five league innings – as Wolverhampton made 182-7 to claim the 14 points which takes them to withing eight points of leaders Ombersley.

Warrick Fynn took 4-55 for Oswestry.

In the only other game involving a Shropshire team, Newport boosted their Division Three survival hopes with a winning draw against Hawkins C&R.

After a delayed start, the match was restricted to 34 overs per side and Hawkins made 144-8.

Captain Nick Watkins' medium-pace bowling saw him take 5-33 from 11 overs for Newport, but their response was reduced to 23 overs after an interruption for rain.

Ryan Jakeman hit 54 as Newport finished on 136-7, just seven runs short of victory but enough to take the winning draw.

The result left Newport third from bottom, 15 points behind Milford Hall.

"It was a fantastic performance from the lads," said Watkins.

"We did really well to get the game on and we were rewarded for our efforts.

"I've been struggling with my bowling after a couple of injuries and it's only been the last few weeks when I've got to grips with it. But the conditions suited me and I was supported by the lads, who fielded well."

The other five matches in the division were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The games involving Shrewsbury against Brockhampton in the Premier Division, Wellington versus Ombersley in Division One. Whitchurch against Brewood in Division Two and the Division Three clashes between Bridgnorth and Milford Hall and Sutton Coldfield and Quatt, were abandoned without play.

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