A MATURE innings from Mahaaz Ahmed helped Barnards Green claim a hard-fought one-wicket win over Oswestry at North End Lane.

Ahmed claimed the prized wicket of Joe Carrasco (62) before scoring 78 not out as Green achieved victory in the final over.

Green were missing six first-team regulars for the Birmingham League Premier Division Two clash against Oswestry who won the toss and chose to bat first.

It was a young opening seam attack but both 18-year-old Ben Brommage and 15-year-old Ollie Halion started accurately.

The duo were able to restrict Warrick Fynn and Carrasco to 38 off the first 12 overs.

But when they switched to the spin of Ahmed and Taylor Pugh the run rate increased slightly as Oswestry reached 102-0 at drinks.

The breakthrough came in Ahmed’s final over when Carrasco was trapped lbw.

Pugh struck next as Fynn holed out to Will Dovey who took his second catch when Lahiru Samarakoon misjudged one from Monzur Ahmed.

After Matthew Richards went for seven Ben Roberts and Dean Suter put on 45 before being both stumped by James Styles off Josh Blunt in the final over.

Oswestry finished on 228-6 but Green started confidently with Dovey and Blunt putting on 27 in less than five overs.

Dovey was bowled for 14 and with the score on 62 Blunt was trapped lbw for 28 by Samarakoon.

A mid-order collapse ensued with Fynn bowling Joe Crichard (17) and Ollie Halion (1) before Pugh chopped on for three.

Green were then reduced to 114-7 after Carrasco struck twice, removing Styles (6) and Dannie Rees (1).

Ahmed reached a well-deserved half century alongside Harvey Smedley who fell for 14 to give Carrasco his fourth wicket.

With the score on 159-8 in the 39th over Green needed just under seven an over to win.

Samarakoon returned to the attack but went for 10 and 14 in his final two overs meaning Green required 20 off four overs.

Roberts went for 13 in the 49th over thanks to two boundaries from Ben Brommage meaning the scores were tied.

Brommage holed out to Josh Darley off Cathrall, leaving Mahaaz Ahmed to seal the victory.

Green who climbed to fifth visit bottom club Brockhampton on Saturday.