STOURBRIDGE lost a close contest at home to Oswestry in the ECB National Club T20 competition.

Stour beat Shifnal in the first round but couldn't get the better of their visitors last Sunday. However, it was some consolation just to be playing after Saturday saw a second wash out of Birmingham and District league fixtures of the season.

A delay in the start curtailed the match to seventeen overs and home skipper Mikesh Patel, entitled to claim the toss, batted first and saw his side post a decent target on a slow paced pitch.

Opener James Wood was bowled for two by Mark Robinson in his first over. A partnership of 24 between Alex Bingham and Josh Banks at a run rate of just over four an over put Stour back on track.

Looking to up the run rate, Bingham was next to go caught driving for 12 off Huxley in the seventh over. Stour pinned their hopes on the inform Steve Game and Josh Banks for a target beyond 130. Game produced three boundaries in his knock of 20 runs but fell lbw to Davidson playing a reverse sweep.

Stour reached 67 for three off 12 overs with the opposition relying on spin to minimise the boundaries.

One more wickets fell when Greg Jones was bowled by Flynn for six as the home side moved on to 92 off 15 overs. Matt Bradley and Banks remained not out on 12 and 65 respectively. Bank’s score came off 47 deliveries with seven fours as they made 120.

Unlike his opponent, Stour skipper Mikesh Patel gambled on his pace attack for wickets. Oswestry openers Warrick Fynn and Mark Robinson relished the opportunity offered by pace put on 71 off 10 overs.

Under the cosh, Stour's players' perseverance produced the first breakthrough with the run out of Robinson for 52 in the 12 over.

Oswestry, needing 35 off 30 deliveries, lost another wicket when Alex Huxley was run out for four in the 13th.

Stour pushed the division one side to the final over requiring eight runs. Paceman James Winders delivered a mighty blow bowling Sam Hales for 16 off the very first delivery.

Winders then had Alex Davidson superbly stumped by the keeper Greg Jones off a wide delivery for a duck. The run out of opener Fynn for 29 with just three deliveries to go caused further mayhem in the Oswestry camp and put victory within Stour's grasp.

However, Dean Suter and Sam Huxley took six runs off the final two deliveries to hand Oswestry a hard-fought win.

Stour will now travel to take on Attock in the league this Saturday.

Meanwhile, in division two of the Worcestershire County League, Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social's game against Wormelow was also abandoned.

They will now take on Burghill and Tillington this weekend.

In the same league, both Lye's match at Coombs Wood and Enville's contest at home to Feckenham were called off due to the weather.

Lye and Enville are now due to play each other this Saturday. Enville will first take on Oldswinford the day before.

In division one of the Worcestershire Country League, there was no play for either Pedmore and Hagley, who were taking on Belbroughton and Colwall respectively.

Pedmore will now welcome Bromyard this Saturday and Hagley will host Droitwich Spa.