OSWESTRY celebrated a thrilling 35-32 win at home to Walsall IIs in the Counties Two Midlands West Division on Saturday.

The Midlands visitors began on top and opened the scoring with an early penalty.

Oswestry made the restart and the tackling was proving to be physical with both teams taking hits but Walsall were throwing the ball out  wide and extended their lead to 13 points with a converted try.

Almost immediately after Craig Richardson-Howell went down injured with a blow to his head and had to receive hospital treatment before Iwan Ellis was also forced off through injury.

Action from Oswestry's win over Walsall IIs on Saturday. (Image: Nick Evans-Jones.)

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Despite the setbacks the hosts hit back and forced a succession of penalties until Nathan Sumang joined the injury list.

Oswestry crept into the visitors 22 and excellent work by all of the pack saw No8 Cammy Breen force his way over to score a well-earned try with Charlie Hampson converting.

Oswestry continued to apply pressure and made their way back into the visitors 22 where some excellent work saw prop Pete Roberts charge over and Hampson’s conversion put the hosts a point to the good.

Action from Oswestry's win over Walsall IIs on Saturday. (Image: Nick Evans-Jones.) Walsall were not finished and came back at Oswestry with some intelligent kicking driving Oswestry back into their 22 and a converted try restored their lead at the break.

Oswestry kicked off the second half and straight away applied pressure to the visitors.

Joe Hodgson burst through to score the third Oswestry try with the returning Iwan Ellis converting as Oswestry regained the lead before Walsall hit back with an unconverted try to establish a four point advantage.

Action from Oswestry's win over Walsall IIs on Saturday. (Image: Nick Evans-Jones.) Oswestry battled back with Adam Beattie forcing the issue with help off his forwards including debutant Colin Thompson who was showing true aggression.

Roberts once again gathered the ball to make a 25 yard run to score his second try of the game with Ellis adding the extras.

Action from Oswestry's win over Walsall IIs on Saturday. (Image: Nick Evans-Jones.) This see saw game carried on and Oswestry were not complacent and continued to battle on as full time was looming as Hampson crossed for a try which he converted to give his side some breathing space.

Walsall maintained pressure with a late try but Oswestry held firm for a thrilling victory to move into ninth place in the league with their next fixture a trip to Trentham on Saturday, November 9th.