Just two days after comprehensively defeating neighbours Wellington to reach the quarter-finals of the Shrewsbury Chronicle KO, Newport crashed to another disappointing home Birmingham League defeat by Smethwick.
Newport now entertain Bomere Heath in the quarter final clash next Thursday (6.15pm) after restricting Wellington to just 97-6 in their 20 overs. Rasika starred, hitting an unbeaten 58 as Newport strolled to an easy eight wicket success with four overs remaining.
But their form in the knockout competition remains one of the few bright spots in what has been so far been a disappointing season which leaves them still looking for their first league success.
Tomorrow they travel to face bottom-of-the-table Aston Unity, knowing that a win is vital if they are to start closing the gap on the teams above them. In fairness, Newport had to contend with a few problems in their clash with Smethwick, notably the absence of keeper Dave Nock, and an injury which Jonathon Prince picked up while batting which severely hampered his bowling efforts.
They were indebted to a fine battling knock from Mike Halliday, who opened the innings and notched up an impressive 73 before being brilliantly caught on the boundary as he tried to pick up the pace.
That much-needed acceleration was applied to good effect in the final overs by Eddie Keenan, unbeaten on 41, and Jonathon Prince who was also not out on 29.
They were largely responsible for putting on a vital 76 in the final nine overs as Newport closed on 189-5.
Opinion was divided as to whether that would be enough to hold a strong looking Smethwick line up.
In the end, the visitors had little difficulty in reaching their target with five wickets in hand, despite being restricted to 52-3 off their first 20 overs, those wickets falling to Jonty Mountford in a hostile opening spell.
Opening batsmen Dave Banks, who had to go off with a hand injury returned to steer his side home with an unbeaten 33, while Yoisaf scored a match-winning 63 before he was trapped lbw late on by Rasika.
