NEWTOWN’S long wait for a win stretched to 11 games after crashing to a 65 run defeat at mid-table Albrighton.
Town were unable to dislodge the opening pair of Rob Robinson and Christopher Bott, who laid solid foundations.
The pair combined superbly before Robinson was caught off youngster Dave Laird (2-28) for 31, who also trapped Bott for a superb 54, which included 11 boundaries.
When the returning Ricky Davies (1-19) caught and bowled Jeremy Parker for just 11, the visitors hoped to curb the hosts’ run rate.
However the fourth wicket partnership of Gareth Hughes and Darren Shimmons saw Town struggle to force the crucial breakthrough.
Both were eventually dismissed by Brian Jones (2-58), but only after Hughes (66) and Shimmons (50) had pushed Albrighton’s score to a healthy total.
Following the end of the decisive fourth wicket stand the middle order collapsed under pressure from John Anthony (3-52) to close on a decent 255-8.
Chasing a formidable target, Newtown were dealt an early blow as the opening pair of Steve Davies and Stuart Putson departed for meagre totals.
Ian Cleary (4-71) enjoyed a superb 16 over spell, which accounted for both openers, with Davies stumped for 17 by Bott, who also caught Putson for 20.
Brian Jones made a brisk 27 before departing, with Cleary completing his contribution by trapping Ricky Davies lbw for just a single boundary.
As ever this season Newtown looked to allrounder Tom Foulkes for guidance and he succeeded in curbing their batting collapse.
However Foulkes’ best efforts were undermined by a complete middle and tailend capitulation, which meant Newtown fell short of their set target.
Foulkes included 14 fours and a single six in an excellent knock of 80.
However at the other end the there was disappointment as only Sam Cooke (13) managed to post double figures for Town.
Mark Stevens (4-34) tore through the order, before Gareth Hughes (2-42) claimed the prize wicket of Foulkes as Newtown fell 65 runs short of their set target.