Newport’s dismal season plumbed new depths when they crashed to another home defeat against Aston Manor.
Once again, a woeful batting performance was at the heart of the Newport problem as they were dismissed for a paltry 38 – their lowest score since joining the Birmingham League and the lowest many members can recall for a league game.
Only one player managed double figures as a combination of lazy irresponsible shots, balls which kept unplayably low and at least one dubious umpiring decision took their toll.
Now Newport must regroup before their tough looking away game with Tamworth tomorrow.
A disappointed club chairman Bob Williams commented: “The batting line-up we fielded on Saturday should have been capable of scoring 380, never mind 38. But while we are bowling and fielding well, it just is not happening for our batsmen.
“Our cricket committee tried to analyse just what is going wrong but while we continue to give the captain and players our full support, the players must start turning in the sort of performances which their selection warrants. We know they are capable of better.
“We have enjoyed a successful three seasons and we are finding this all a bit hard to swallow. We have played well to reach this level of competition and we are determined to do everything within our power to ensure that we maintain it.”
Aston Manor’s openers showed just the sort of application which has been lacking from Newport. They stayed together for 70 minutes and 17 overs before the first wicket fell.
Only 30 runs were scored they had blunted the Newport opening attack, seen off the new ball and laid the basis for South African allrounder Sean Liebisch to accelerate things.
His 52 proved the backbone and they looked to be heading for a big score before Joan Prince was belatedly brought into the attack.
He bowled only five overs but finished with 5-16 as Aston crashed from 119-4 to 130 and suddenly it was all smiles in the Newport camp.
In addition to the fine bowling performance from Prince, Craig Atherton earned a special pat on the back on his first game for the senior team this season. He poached two well judged catches including the vital wicket of Liebisch.
How quickly those smiles turned to frowns. The departure of Eddie Keenan in the first over was just the prelude to the miseries which were to follow.
The batsmen had no answer to aggressive bowling from the powerful opening attack of Liebisch (4-23) and Julius Benjamain (5-14) as Newport were dismissed in just 19 overs.
