Shropshire toil with Sabin in the Oxfordshire heat
Shropshire's bowlers were toiling in the heat of the second day of the Minor Counties Championship clash as student Lloyd Sabin dished out a stiff lesson.
The 18-year-old Oxford MCC Universities batsman led Oxfordshire's fightback with a resolute unbeaten 117 to hand his side an 111-run lead at close of play.
Earlier Bridgnorth's James Ralph hit 124 and Shrewsbury wicketkeeper Anthony Parker 51 in the visitors' first innings total of 384.
Shropshire's first innings lead of 158 was whittled away in the closing session.
But if they can take the prize wicket of Sabin quickly today, they will still fancy their chances of closing in on their third consecutive Championship victory.
Richard Oliver's men were left to rue dropping the opener soon after he had completed his century.
And the Shropshire captain had good reason to be critical about some of the fielding which has previously been as efficient as the county's batting and bowling this summer.
After Oswestry's Jonathan Miles clean bowled Damien Shirazi with 37 on the board, Oxfordshire made the most of a good wicket and fast outfield to compile quick runs.
Richard Kaufman followed up his first innings knock of 62 with a free flowing 57, which included 10 boundaries, and shared in a 121-stand for the second wicket with Sabin who cut loose with three big sixes.
Oliver used all his bowlers in a bid to make a breakthrough, but Ben Sanderson struggled to emulate his first innings four-wicket haul.
Eventually, it was the Shropshire skipper, himself, finding some movement when removing Kaufman and Jamie Perkin in quick succession.
Jonny Cater stuck around at the crease for 38 before Ralph took the catch as the No 5 hit out against Dan Bowen.
But Sabin, the youngest player to turn out for Oxfordshire, remained a thorn in the flesh as the home side closed on 269-5.
Earlier in the day, Ralph fired the ball over the ropes 21 times for his feisty century.
He was joined by Shifnal debutant Tom Home, who showed a glimmer of his promise before he was clean bowled for 17.
But it was Parker who finished things off with aplomb as he crashed his half century in 39 balls.
