Newtown 124 all out lost to Madeley 130-3 by seven wickets

NEWTOWN bid farewell to a forgettable campaign with a seven wicket defeat at home to Madeley.

Once again wickets tumbled early as Joshua Bartlett (2-38) made light work of Town’s top order with Aaron Knight (6) and Ryan Davies (4) removed cheaply before captain Sam Cooke was caught by Joe Buttery off Martin Boyle (1-19) for 10.

Matthew Knight and John Anthony revived Town with a 55 run fourth wicket stand before the latter was snared LBW by Gavin Jones for a top scoring 39 with the Welsh side on 89-4.

Knight pushed Town to 104 before being caught by Doug Reynolds off Jones for 24 and spark their collapse.

Jones (5-31) and Jonathan Prince (2-30) swept through the remaining order to leave Rajesh Rai (12no) and Town all out for just 124 in the 29th over.

Madeley laid solid foundations for victory with Andrew Lloyd and Stephen Pugh combining in a 40 run opening wicket stand.

Anthony (1-39) bowled Lloyd for 12 only for Pugh to be joined by Jones in a 37 run second wicket stand to push Madeley to within sight of their target.

Pugh fell to Bryant Galpin (1-37) for 25 but Jones continued to work the scoreboard alongside Jack Loftus.

Rai (1-18) removed Loftus, caught behind by Cooke for one, but Madeley were not to be denied with Jones (54no) joined by Reynolds (19no) in an unbroken 39 run fourth wicket partnership to guide the hosts to 130-3 and victory in the 25th over.

Defeat ensures relegation for Newtown following a poor campaign but with the Shropshire League planning a massive summer restructure the fate of Mid Wales’ flagship club will not be confirmed until the end of season annual meeting later in the year.