Bowling show not enough to clinch Barnards Green win

After rain, the outfield was slow but the game started on time and Oswestry chose to bat after winning the toss.

Openers Fynn and Carrasco struggled against the swing bowling of Tim Williams and Alex Hepburn.

They reached 25 when Hepburn had Carrasco (15) caught by wicketkeeper Ash Brewer and trapped Joe Clarke lbw for a duck. Fynn and Huxley’s progress was interrupted by rain before Green turned to spin.

Captain Andy Ford had Fynn (28) caught by Hepburn on the boundary and league debutant Jamie Tapper trapped Huxley (33).

But Dovey’s second spell did the damage and Robbie Clarke saw five of his partners dismissed.

He bowled Papier (18) before having Hale (8) and Morris (0) caught by Brewer.

In his next over, Dovey dismissed Coleridge as Oswestry plunged to 136-8.

Robbie Clarke and Robinson (6) added 24 more when Dovey grabbed his fifth wicket with the final ball of his 10 overs.

Williams returned in the 47th over and Robbie Clarke (26) gave Brewer his fourth catch of the day.

In reply, openers George Rhodes and Adam Dovey kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely against pace and spin.

But Papier broke the partnership when Fynn caught Rhodes (29) at mid-off.

Papier trapped Hepburn (6) lbw and Dovey was caught behind by Joe Clarke for 12.

Ford (15) took 12 off Fynn before the bowler got revenge in his next over.

After more rain, the winning target was adjusted but two quick wickets fell.

Mark Hooper (5) was caught by Fynn off Robbie Clarke before Elliot Hennessy was lbw for a duck. Fynn bowled Brewer (6) and Jon Dovey (1) fell lbw to Robinson, leaving Green on 100-8 in the 32nd over.

Williams (6) fell next, caught by Papier at mid-off to give Fynn his fourth wicket.

Jack Mackintosh (5 not out) and Tapper made steady progress but the latter clipped to Fynn off Bowen for 22 and Green fell short.

Their next game is on Saturday when they face Smethwick at home (noon).