Shropshire Star

Oswestry hoping to maintain perfect start

Early leaders Oswestry bid to maintain their perfect start to the Birmingham League Division Two season when they host Old Elizabethans tomorow.

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The Morda Road men have got off to a flier with five successive wins taking them to the 100-point mark – and 16 points clear at the top of the table.

Their latest trumph, a 10-wicket beating of Old Hill, was their most dominant to date as they continued their best start for many a season.

With nearest rivals Fordhouses suffering their first loss when losing to C&R Hawks, Oswestry are now the only unbeaten side in the division.

But they won’t be resting on their laurels as they prepare to welcome fifth-placed Old Elizabethans in front of an anticipated bumper crowd at Morda Road.

The match pits together the two highest run scorers in the division – Oswestry’s Warrick Fynn and Atiq Ur-Reman for the Worcestershire visitors.

Fynn has hammered two centuries and three fifties in scoring 474 runs at an average of 118.50, while Ur-Rehman has 337 runs at an average of 84.25.

Most impressive for the Morda Road men has been their all-round team performances, with the bowlers laying the foundations for last week’s 10-wicket win at Old Hill.

“It was the first time in the Birmingham League that we have won by 10 wickets,” said captain Robbie Clarke.

“It was a great performance, but we know there’s still plenty of hard work to do.

“We look a good side at the moment, but in cricket you can never take anything for granted and Old Elizabethans will be a decent side.”

Young all-rounder Roman Walker, who smashed a century for the second team, is pressing for a return to the senior side, while wicketkeeper Dean Suter returns to the side.