Oswestry held their nerve in a thrilling finish at Lichfield to clamber out of the Birmingham League division three relegation zone.

The Morda Road men looked hot favourites for victory when they dismissed Lichfield for 134.

But, despite 63 from Mudassir Pasha before the Indian was run out, the visitors got into trouble with the bat and were struggling at 127-9.

Young pair Sam Huxley and Olly Clarke held their nerve, however, to see Oswestry over the line.

Medium-pacer Pasha had earlier taken 5-50, including 5-13 off 10 overs in his second spell while Mark Robinson claimed 4-43 to drag Oswestry back into the game after Lichfield had raced to 75-0.

Wicket

“We didn’t bat particularly well but it was a really important win for us,” said club captain Mike Robinson.

“We got 24 points and Lichfield five — but had they had taken that last wicket it would have been the other way around.”

It was a miserable day for Shropshire’s trio of division two teams with all three suffering defeats.

Whitchurch’s traditionally strong batting line-up mis-fired in their top-of-the-table clash at Evesham as they were dismissed for just 133, Simon Bowen top scoring with 29. And Evesham had little problems cruising to a seven wicket success inside 38 overs.

A poor fielding display proved costly to Bridgnorth as they suffered a 48-run home defeat to Water Orton. Sam Whitney and captain Mark McPherson-Lees each took three wickets but Bridgnorth were still disappointed to let their visitors make 210 before they were dismissed in the penultimate over.

McPherson-Lees then made 43 and Jack Edwards and Gareth Mumford 28, but Bridgnorth were dismissed for 162.

“We dropped catches and didn’t field well and that allowed them to get 40 too many,” said team manager Ray Perry.

St Georges looked in contention for a vital victory as they restricted visiting Cannock to 168-6, Steve Taylor claiming three wickets.

But, despite 51 from Sean Parkes, the home side fell short and were dismissed for 156 with 21 balls remaining.