BARNARDS Green missed the chance to put their season back on track as a batting collapse at North End Lane saw Oswestry hold out for a draw on Saturday.
An impressive second wicket partnership of 177 between Andrew Curtis and Alex Hepburn put Green on course for a morale-boosting victory in Birmingham League Division One.
However, the loss of five quick wickets after Curtis and Hepburn were finally dismissed proved costly for the hosts, who ended 23 runs short of victory.
Oswestry have Warrick Fynn to thank for helping the Shropshire side come away with 15 points. The opener’s 109 saw the visitors make 277 in their 55 overs.
His partnership with Robbie Clarke provided the backbone for the Oswestry innings after losing Alex Huxley and Joe Clarke early on. Eventually Clarke tried one big hit too many as he was clean bowled by Hepburn for 59 off 72 balls which included 10 fours and a six.
Matthew Gregson joined Fynn and he continued the big hitting as Oswestry quickly passed 250. The pair were finally ousted in the space of three balls as Fynn’s fine innings was ended off the bowling of Mark Hardinges before Gregson was stumped.
Green took to the field knowing they had to keep up with a run rate exceeding five an over to claim victory, but they were handed an early blow when George Rhodes was trapped lbw by Dan Bowen for 12
Curtis was then joined by Hepburn and it was these two batsmen who turned the match on its head. The score passed 100 in the 25th over, 150 in the 34th and 200 in the 43rd as the hosts took control.
Unfortunately for Green, though, both went in consecutive overs as Curtis fell just three short of his century before Hepburn was trapped in front for 93.
This proved to be the turning point as Alex Milton was run out without scoring, Mark Hardinges was adjudged lbw and Kev Golder was stumped off Gregson.
Suddenly, Oswestry were in a promising position to snatch victory as they also claimed the wickets of Adam Dovey and Mark Hooper, but Jon Dovey and Rishe Umasuthan saw out the remaining balls.