Shropshire Star

Robbie Clarke warns against Oswestry complacency

Oswestry will be looking to continue their best start to a Birmingham Cricket League season when they host early strugglers Halesowen tomorrow.

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The Morda Road men have won all three matches to claim a maximum 60 points, while this weekend’s visitors have suffered contrasting fortunes with three straight defeats.

Confidence will be justifiably high in the Oswestry camp after going joint top of the Division Two table following their 57-run win at Sutton Coldfield.

But captain Robbie Clarke has warned his side to be on their guard as they prepare for the visit of a Halesowen outfit languishing at the foot of the table. “It’s great to get off to such a good start, but there’s a long way to go yet,” said Clarke.

“We’re playing well and team spirit is excellent – but we’re only three games into a 22-match season and we’re taking nothing for granted.”

Clarke is delighted with the form shown by all-rounder Warrick Fynn, who followed up centuries in the first two matches with 74 on Saturday.

“Warrick’s in great nick, but the other lads are all backing him up well,” added the skipper.

Xavier Clarke (45), Robbie Clarke (37), Joe Carrasco (27) and Mark Robinson (20) all weighed in with useful scores to set a target of 242-8 off their 50 overs.

Sadaf Hussain and Roman Walker then dismissed the Sutton Coldfield openers with just seven on the board – and from there it was always an uphill struggle for the home side.

Hussain finished with 2-41, and there were also two wickets each for Ian Davies, Xavier Clarke and Fynn as Sutton Coldfield were bowled out for 185.

Halesowen’s tough start continued last weekend with a seven-wicket loss to Fordhouses, who share pole position at the top of Division Two with Oswestry.