Delighted Newport earn first cup victory

Newport's?bowlers have got their hands on the County Cup for the first time.

The reigning Shropshire Premier Leauge champions made the breakthrough by beating holders Chester Road by 22 shots in Saturday night's final at Pontesbury.

Dave Rhodes with a 21-6 card at No 7 was the best of their eight winners as the Fishes never trailed, a late push by the Whitchurch side not being enough to see them retain the Glyn Hill Trophy.

Meanwhile, Shropshire's under-18 bowlers are back in the final of the Drakes Pride county championship after a four-year absence.

They squeezed past semi-final rivals the Potteries by 21 shots overall to book a crack at Yorkshire, champions in 2010 and 2011, on September 9.

Key to yesterday's victory was a fine performance by the away team at Bucknell where they reeled off the first eight winners, including a 21-4 success for Burway's Josh Partridge in a 13 chalk win.

The home team limped to an eight shot win at Sinclair in Telford after a super start featuring fine wins for Jamie King (21-8) and man of the match David Lloyd (21-10).

For a full county cup report and scores see tomorrow's paper.