Oswestry were the big winners on a furious weekend of action in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League – as they took over at the top.

Games were played on Saturday and Sunday, the packed schedule being due to the league’s expansion from 12 to 14 teams.

Only one game fell victim to the weather on Saturday, but it was a different story on Sunday as heavy rain across the county blighted the fixtures.

And it was Oswestry who made the most of the situation, beating Shelton on Saturday before getting enough time on the pitch at Newtown to record a winning draw.

Shelton made 133-9 from their innings, Mudassir Pasha restricting them by recording figures of 4-18.

It proved more than enough, as Oswestry got home with nine wickets in hand. Pasha weighed in with 62 while the in-form Alex Huxley was unbeaten on 63.

Credit

Rain affected their clash in Mid Wales, Newtown eventually making 168, skipper Mark Robinson taking 5-27.

The visitors were set a revised 85 from 25 overs to record the winning draw and they just made it, reaching 89-4.

“The weather over the last couple of weekends hasn’t been kind to us but credit must go to the Newtown groundsman on Sunday because the game could easily have been called off,” said Oswestry captain Robinson.

“It’s very tight at the top now, but we’ve got the luxury in the second half of the season that all the bigger teams have to play at our place – that should stand us in good stead.”

Newtown remain bottom of the league, their eight point haul following on from a losing draw against Allscott on Saturday.

The Sugarmen made 175, though Craig Davies took 4-41 for the Welsh side and Mike Bellamore 3-34.

Brian Jones was unbeaten on 44 in reply, but Newtown could only reach 124-9.

Oswestry have taken over at the top from Quatt, who beat Madeley on Saturday but then had to settle for eight points against Shelton the next day as the weather had its say.

The league’s leading run scorer Dean Robinson starred with the bat, making 77 out of Quatt’s 175-6.

Wickets were shared between Gareth Jones, Craig Jones and Jimmy Arbuckle as Madeley were bowled out for 137, despite a plucky 58 from Jimmy Arbuckle.

Quatt did their best to make a game of it on Sunday, declaring on 156-6 against Shelton, but the game was abandoned with the Shrewsbury side having only advanced to 11-0.

Albrighton were undoubtedly the unluckiest team of the weekend – with both their games called off without a ball being bowled.

Their match at Bomere Heath was the only game to be washed out on Saturday, and it was a similar story at Welshpool 24 hours later.

By CHRIS HUDSON