Rajat Bhatia inspires Newport to Wem win

Former Indian Premier League player Bhatia was again the star man, as Newport defeated Wem in a meeting of two sides vying for the Shropshire League Premier Division crown.

Bhatia scored 116 and took four wickets to help second-placed Newport to a 69-run victory – their seventh in a row.

But Watkins hailed contributions made from elsewhere, as his side stayed on the coattails of table-topping Frankton.

He said: "It was a big game, so I'm very pleased to get 24 points from a game against a title rival.

"But it was a really good team performance and some of the younger lads batted really well with Rajat in partnerships.

"There were a couple of lads who hung around with him and Ed Fowler contributed with 29 not out.

"He really attacked their bowling and we seemed to take the momentum from that into our bowling. People may be saying we are a one-man team, but I don't believe that at all.

"We have a few young lads in the top order and, against one of the best seam attacks in the league, I thought they were exceptional."

Frankton lead Newport by a point after they crushed Broseley by 140 runs.

The leaders' top three all notched half-centuries to help Frankton post 246-7 from their 50 overs.

Gavin Jones offered the only resistance with 53 as Broseley were skittled out for 106. Archie Dickin was the star with the ball, taking 4-25.

Meanwhile, captain Andy Harrison admits an injury to Luke Miles took the edge off Cound's battling draw at St Georges.

The Premier Division strugglers fought hard to pick up five valuable points as they finished on 185-7, replying to the home side's 241-6.

Harrison was delighted with Miles' spell, which saw him take 1-29 off seven overs, before it was brought to a premature end.

Harrison, who picked up three wickets himself, said: "He bowled really well but couldn't go on after he hurt his knee.

"Luke's having a scan on it this week so he's doubtful for Saturday. We could do without him being out but, hopefully, it's just a twist and he'll be back in a couple of weeks.

"I got three wickets but I haven't bowled as well this season as I have in the past."

Jamie Griffiths hit an unbeaten 102 for St Georges but they saw their title challenge dented by Cound's dogged resistance.

Harrison added: "We really worked hard for it and I think we deserved to get a result in the end, so fair play to all of our youngsters.

"If we work as hard as we did on Saturday hopefully we can improve on where we are and stay up."

Will Sparrow ripped through the Bomere Heath batting line-up to help Ludlow & South Shropshire to a seven-wicket success.

Sparrow finished with figures of 7-41, as Bomere Heath were dismissed for 129. Keanu Cooper and Sam Alford both made half-centuries as Ludlow chased down their total inside 23 overs.

An unbeaten 100 from Stephen Pugh set Madeley on their way to a convincing win over Reman Services. Pugh's ton off 132 balls helped his side post an imposing 278-6 from their 50 overs.

Jonathan Prince then took 5-35 as Reman were bowled out for 160. Bottom club Wroxeter Grove lost by four wickets against Quatt.

Charlie Haylett top scored with 71 in Wroxeter's total of 228 all out off 44.4 overs. Opener Tom Whitney hit 83 to set Quatt on their way to victory.