Lee Jakeman calling on Newport to make amends

The Audley Avenue outfit were skittled out for 92 last week on their way to an eight-wicket defeat.

Defeat saw Newport slip to sixth in the Division Three table, although they are only 13 points adrift of leaders Lichfield.

“It was a disappointing day and I apologise to those spectators who made the trip not to be provided with a decent contest.

“They bowled well on a helpful pitch, we let them dictate the terms of the match and dominate us. Why that is I am not sure. We have had some fine performances this season; more often than not we have scored plenty of runs and taken plenty of wickets.

“We are still well placed in the league and will look to turn things around this weekend.”

Sentinel skipper Ed Ashlin is relishing taking his third-placed side to Stourbridge, who are one place and four points better off.

Ashlin and his team, set to be boosted by the return of all-rounder Mal Serplet, are relishing the chance to have a go at second-placed Stourbridge.

“It’s an exciting game,” said the skipper. “Stourbridge have a lot of history as a club.

“I heard at the beginning of the season that they were expected to be a strong side and up there, so we’re expecting a real challenge.

“I’m sure it will be probably the toughest challenge we’ve faced so far, but we’re just looking to go there and play good cricket again and we’re confident. We’re playing well and we’ll look to pick up as many points as we possibly can.”

Wicketkeeper Tom Matthews will miss the game as he is unavailable, with Ashlin having to decide who will wear the gloves instead.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Craig Heath’s brilliant 219 not out against Nuneaton last week was a club record. The big-hitting Zimbabwean shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 336 with Joe Yapp.