Newport go into tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash with Wem brimming with confidence after a convincing nine wicket success against Ludlow.
“Wem have been in good form this season and tomorrow’s game will provide us with a stern test,” said chairman Bob Williams.
“However, we couldn’t have wished for a better build up to the game than our performance on Saturday. Everyone played their part.”
Newport make two changes to the starting XI with opener Rob Furniss returning to the squad in place of unavailable James Coggins, and all-rounder Gareth Bowen stepping up from the seconds.
Williams added: “Rob Furniss obviously adds strength to our batting line up. He and his brother Paul have been in fine form this season and with our overseas pro Aditya averaging well over 100, there is plenty of reason to hope for a big score.”
Ludlow skipper Will Sparrow elected to take first knock on what looked a good batting track. But he was in for a shock in the very first over when opener Richard Mapp was run out by Paul Furniss. Worse was to follow for the visitors when Rhys Davenport trapped the Ludlow skipper for six.
However Sam Edwards and Jack Griffiths took the score to 57 before Griffiths became the first of Ed Parton’s four victims. Opener Edwards stood firm against some tight Newport bowling and as the innings closed, he remained unbeaten on 86 from a total of 181-7.
Ed Parton was the pick of the home bowlers. He bowled unchanged for 16 overs to finish with a rewarding 4-35 while Aditya sent down his ten overs for just 30 runs to put a brake on the Ludlow innings just when it mattered.
Jamie Board, promoted to open the innings, was caught for just four with the score on 18.
But this was to prove the only success of the innings for the Ludlow attack.
Opener Paul Furniss remained unbeaten on 52 at the close.
But it was Aditya who stole the show. He dispatched the ball to all corners of the ground and it was only a question of whether he would reach his century before the target was reached.
In the end, both were achieved as he hit the winning run to finish on 102no and boost his amazing batting average.
“After the disappointment of the Quatt game, the attitude and character shown was excellent and I couldn’t ask for more,” said delighted skipper Pat Davenport.
