With many matches cancelled due to the dreadful weather Newport thirds travelled to their Staffordshire neighbours looking to keep on the tails of the Division 5 pacesetters.
Bowling first in the damp conditions the Newport openers Farooq and Skipper Craig Stockman kept a tidy line and length restricting the home openers to only 18 off the first 8 overs.
The pressure mounted and led to the run out of Harrington after a good piece of fielding from Matt Malin.
Newport persevered – in particular Stockman bowled with accuracy pinning down the Hales batsmen who needed to chase the game with only a 35 overs innings.
The early pressure produced results as home skipper Gavin Brookes was brilliantly caught one handed at gulley by Tony Finch and then the introduction of Junior Joe Chadwick brought 2 more wickets.
Wickets fell at regular intervals with Hales struggling in the conditions, another Junior David Atherton mopped up most of the tail taking 3/26 as Stockman toiled away finishing with 3/34 off 14 overs.
After the completion of the 35th over Hales had scored an under par 114/9.
The Thirds have batted well all season so this total looked well within reach with the strong batting line up.
Things were never that straightforward though as Stuart Anderson was trapped leg before in the 3 rd over, Steve Birkett kept some momentum at the start of the innings and made things look easier than anyone all day.
He hit regular boundaries and was well supported by Chadwick and then Stuart Goodwin.
Birkett passed his half century as victory was in sight and ended up unbeaten on 69 as Newport easily reached the target with the loss of five wickets with 7 overs to spare.
The game was played in a great spirit and the confidence within the Newport ranks should put them in good heart ahead of the visit by Allscottt this Saturday. The game starts at 2pm at Edgmond and is sponsored by the Edgmond Lion.
