A captain’s innings from Mark Robinson kept Oswestry at the top of the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League with a thrilling two wicket win over Much Wenlock at Morda Road.

Chasing 178, the border men lost wickets at regular intervals and were 75-4 before being guided home through Robinson’s 63 not out in a timely partnership with in-form opener Alex Huxley (66) as they saw off the threat of spinner Kuldeep Dirwan.

It was a good day for Robinson who celebrated his return to the Shropshire ranks by also making his mark with the ball when taking 3-67 with his left arm spin.

Brother Paul snapped up 4-42, while Dirwan (51) and Stuart Walters (42) top scored for the visitors.

Quatt, in second place, kept up the pressure on the leaders with a comfortable eight wicket win over basement side Newtown.

Batting first, Newtown had totalled 141-9, Brian Jones top scoring on 38 while Jimmy Arbuckle picked up four wickets.

In reply, Aussie Dean Robinson (56) helped steer Quatt to a convincing win while Adam Evans finished things off with an unbeaten 36.

Wem narrowly missed out on the chance to force a vital victory over Madeley, and instead had to settle for a losing draw.

Martyn Davies top scored with 48 and Patrick Cudmore and Mark Ellis both made contributions of 27 as Wem were dismissed for 141.

Davies then took 5-29 and Ellis 3-16 to get Madeley wobbling, but the visitors held firm to end on 127-8.

The game between Bomere Heath and Reman Services was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

That leaves defending champions Reman 54 points behind current leaders Oswestry.