Newport make hay as rain strikes

Newport splashed through a rain-soaked Marston's Shropshire League Premier Division weekend to emerge as the big winners from a truncated programme.

The Audley Avenue outfit continued their recovery from a slow start to the campaign, by picking up 14 points against Newtown to cement their place in third position.

In tricky conditions, good batting from Ed Keenan (37), Jamie Broad (28) and Rob Furniss (24) saw Newport build a strong platform at 120-4.

But a mid innings collapse saw them slump to 133-8 before Joe Chadwick and Gareth Bowen steadied the ship to push Newport's total to 166-8 off their allotted 44 overs.

At 33-4, the home side looked in desperate trouble but Brian Jones, who had earlier picked up the vital wickets of Aditya Jain and Paul Furniss, stood firm.

At the close, he remained unbeaten on 60 as the Newtown reply ended on 134-8, with the returning Rhys Davenport picking up 4-36 and Ed Parton 3-34.

"We were of course disappointed that we could not push on to claim an outright victory, but in view of what happened – or more correctly didn't happen – elsewhere, we have to pleased with our haul of 14 points," said club chairman Bob Williams.

Dave Bradley's 52 was the highlight of Much Wenlock's 151-7 off their 28 overs against Madeley.

Chris Lewis also made 36 with Jason Prince taking 5-36, but the league leaders had no time to begin their reply.

Struggling Albrighton looked in further trouble as they were skittled for 86 by Bomere Heath for whom Wayne Phillips took 5-19.

Bomere had reached 12-1 when play was halted due to rain.

Shelton racked up 98-5 off 28 overs against Quatt who replied with 45-1 before the weather hit.

Mark Davies was unbeaten on 29 for Shelton while Harry Jones and Ben Chambers both made 23.

Ludlow had reached 68-3 against Broseley while the games between Reman Services and Trysull & Seisdon and Wem and Allscott were abandoned without a ball being bowled.