A sublime, unbeaten 148 from Ian Gregory against league leaders Oswestry was a big plus point to take away for Bridgnorth from Saturday’s efforts, yet the Cricket Meadow men once again found themselves rueing key moments.

Choosing to bat first in great conditions, Bridgnorth made a solid early start to set a platform for a dominant finish. But whilst runs ticked along with relative ease, a much-needed acceleration was made difficult by an accurate bowling attack. Jed Schwarzbach (35) and Chris Green (38 not out) contributed at the other end, but Gregory’s 153-ball effort saw him flourish in the latter overs of the innings and ultimately saw skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees’ men up to what seemed a par total in the circumstances.

The visitors then made a rapid start in the run chase as the Cricket Meadow men were guilty of missing early chances, before Gregory made the breakthrough to remove the dangerous JP Erasmus for 35.

Bridgnorth born-and-bred allrounder Sam Baugh then made a welcome return to the maroon and blue colours, picking up 3-31 off his ten overs as the hosts looked to turn the screw. But the Oswestry line-up remained ahead of the rate, despite Pete Scott and Schwarzbach also picking up crucial wickets thanks to well-taken catches.

Ultimately, the league leaders found their way across the finish line with 21 balls remaining, thanks mainly to an unbeaten half-century from captain Josh Darley. A trip to fourth-placed Frankton is the next challenge for MacPherson-Lees’ charges, as they look to turn around their fortunes.

Bridgnorth II (232-7) beat Cound (194-7) by 38 runs

The second team backed up their first win of the season last weekend to finish on top once again on Saturday, as an excellent all-round effort saw them get the job done at Cound.

Opener Rich Ealey (53) and Pradeep Pandurangan (26) gave their side a solid start after the loss of an early wicket, before some predictable fireworks from Dileep Sagar saw him fly to a rapid half-century. Despite being stumped late in the piece for 62, a fine cameo from Ethan Osborne-Welch (19 not out) saw Bridgnorth finish on what would prove a match-winning total.

The hosts’ run-chase began in strong fashion as the experienced duo of Graham Trow and Jason Brookes put together an untroubled opening stand, before young spinner Izzy Crann made the much-needed breakthrough, finishing with 2-24 off eight miserly overs.

Fellow upcoming spin wizard Marcus Thompson then made a welcome return to form, finishing with 3-35 as he ran through the Cound middle-order, before an excellent piece of fielding from Alfie Proctor saw Trow run out for 64.

With Sagar also picking up the scalp of home skipper Kinsey, Bridgnorth’s bowlers then closed out the match with relative ease, securing a vital second win on the bounce.

Bridgnorth III (161-8) beat Shifnal (159) by two runs

The third team went toe-to-toe in a closely-fought battle with Shifnal on Sunday, finally coming out victors off the last ball of the contest.

After being asked to bat first, openers Rich Ealey and Sam Laver-Pearson made a steady start against an accurate bowling attack, but wickets started to fall as it proved tough to accelerate the run-scoring. Matt Lunn added some impetus after Ealey fell for 31, before Shashi Cherukuri continued his good form this season to top-score with 35.

Some late impetus was then added through cameos from Bhanu Muthirevula and Ollie Shinebaum, as Bridgnorth finished their 40 overs on 161-8. A seemingly par total which the home side then made a steady start to chase down before Alfie Proctor made the initial breakthrough.

With both teams going toe-for-toe in the second innings, Shifnal opener Daniel Ball top-scored with an eye-catching half century, as he looked to take control. But a fiery burst from Dileep Sagar saw the next wicket fall, before legspinner Marcus Thompson (3-22) again found good turn and accuracy, and was ultimately rewarded with the key wicket of Ball for 57.

Muthirevula (3-19) then ran through the hosts’ middle order as Bridgnorth wrestled back control of the game, but Shifnal’s tail continued to wag, despite skipper Alex Thomas taking the ninth wicket with the first ball of the penultimate over.

Ultimately, with twelve needed off the final over, Ethan Osborne-Welch held his nerve and with four needed off the last ball, knocked over the middle stump to confirm victory.