Newport CC go into this weekend’s crunch double header bidding to top the table for the first time this season.
Newport find themselves in second place in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League division one having picked up a massive 77 points out of 80 in their last four matches.
And they have a golden opportunity to reach the summit with two matches in 24 hours, at home to current leaders Madeley tomorrow and at struggling Albrighton on Sunday.
Chairman Bob Williams said: “We are taking nothing for granted. As we have said many times before, any team can beat any other in this league. But we have shown in recent weeks that we have what it takes.”
Madeley beat Newport by two wickets on the opening day of the season. But Newport were without Indian professional Aditya Jain, who was stranded due to the volcanic ash cloud.
His red hot form continued last week with a magnificent 160 as Newport won at Much Wenlock. It took Jain past 1,000 runs for the season in just 12 games at an average of over 115.
Wenlock, who started the game in second place, were left rueing the catch that slipped through their fingers early on.
Jain’s heroics helped Newport post 234 all out with just one ball of the innings remaining.
Wenlock had been posting some big scores in recent weeks, but Newport had the perfect start when Ed Parton bowled Dave Bradley for a duck in his first over.
Chris Lewis looked in good nick, but Rhys Davenport, bowling with plenty of fire and pace, sent him packing when he comprehensively bowled him for 30 with the score on 46.
Duncan May stood firm but when he was caught off Nick Watkins for 37 with the score on 104, the game was effectively up for the home side. Skipper Pat Davenport rotated his bowlers and although the home batsmen offered stubborn resistance, the game always looked within Newport’s reach.
It was appropriate that Watkins, who had ripped the middle out of the Wenlock reply with three wickets, should finish off the game when he had Indian paceman Shailendra Sengar caught by Ed Keenan for 13.
This gave him a deserved four-wicket haul and ended the home reply on 170.
Wenlock’s total, however, was considerably boosted by 23 wides and three no balls and this is something which will need to be addressed before tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash.
The match, which is sponsored by Norwood House Hotel, also sees the second vice-president’s luncheon of the season, which will ensure a good crowd.
By Sean Wozencroft
