BARNARDS Green avoided defeat to a Warrick Fynn-inspired Oswestry side at a damp North End Lane in Birmingham League Division One.

Fynn scored 140 as the visitors set Green a target of 243 to win before the South African inflicted damage with the ball.

Adam Wiffen (60) was among three players to be dismissed by Fynn as Oswestry gave themselves a chance of victory at 150-8.

But Jon Dovey and Jack Mackintosh survived the final eight balls and earned an extra batting point in a losing draw.

After winning the toss Green captain Ryan Tongue chose to field first in favourable bowling conditions.

And Joe Carrasco (1) was soon heading back to the pavilion as he was caught by Wiffen at point off Phil Harris.

After the game was halted for an hour due to rain Dovey claimed the prize wicket of Joe Clarke for a duck before removing Xavier Clarke for seven.

Oswestry were reeling on 21-3 but Fynn and captain Robert Clarke steadily built a partnership, taking the score past 100 in the 33rd over.

The fifth-wicket stand came to an end on 136 as Clarke skied one off George Rhodes to Wiffen for his second catch of the day.

In the same over Fynn hit a huge straight six to bring up a well-crafted century off 128 balls.

After Josh Coleridge was trapped leg before by Josh Blunt to leave Oswestry on 213-5 with six overs left wickets fell regularly.

Harris bowled Roman Walker (1) before Tongue grabbed two wickets in an over, with Fynn caught by Dovey and Ritu Raj Singh (4) holing out to Olly Swift.

Harris and Tongue then removed Charlie Morris (1) and Ian Davies (0) respectively as Oswestry were all out for 242.

With 38 overs to reach their target, Tongue and Wiffen started well as they moved the score to 37 without loss.

Tongue was the first to go as he was well caught by Joe Clarke at mid-on. Swift and Wiffen then put on another 44 runs before the former fell for nine.

Davies struck again as Rhodes edged one to Joe Clarke in the slips leaving Green on 89-3 in the 23rd over.

Harris raced to 25 off 23 balls before being stumped by Dean Suter off Fynn who then ended Wiffen’s innings shortly after he reached his half century.

Dannie Rees was then next to go when he was caught by Morris off Singh as Oswestry needed four wickets to secure victory.

Will Dovey came and went without scoring – clean bowled by Singh and Blunt (11) was stumped by Suter to give Fynn his third wicket.

But Green held on with Dovey and Mackintosh see out the remaining balls.

Green visit Tamworth on Saturday (midday).