NEWTOWN had to be content with a draw as Cound held firm for a share of the spoils at the Elephant Recreation Ground.

Town endured an early wobble and reduced to 8-2 following the departure of John Anthony (1) and Ricky Davies (0) to Tom Quarashi (2-36).

Dave Laird steadied the ship in a 50 run third wicket stand alongside Dai Brown before being caught by Saleh Ahmed off Darren Moody.

Moody struck again to snare Brown LBW for 12 to leave Town 63-4.

The home middle order revived the innings with a 46 run fifth wicket partnership between Sam Cooke and Tom Anderson before Cooke caught and bowled by Graham Trow (1-47) for 33.

Joe Monk joined former Welshpool clubmate in an 87 run seventh wicket partnership before Monk bowled by Iwan Morgan (2-43) for 27.

Anderson fell soon after, falling to Moody (3-53) for a top scoring 71 before the Newtown to leave tail enders Bryant Galpin and Brandon Baynham at the crease and the hosts defending 211-9.

Cound lost opener Jack Case cheaply in reply, caught by John Anthony off Anderson (1-16).

David Anthony bowled Craig Kinsey (9) before Laird (2-27) removed Ahmed (15) and Trow as Town continued to make inroads.

Galpin (2-13) maintained the pressure with Henry Cooper caught by Cooke for two before Moody fell for a duck.

Dave Anthony (2-37) celebrated the fall of Dan Tudor, caught by Anderson for 37.

However Gabriel Williams (22no) and Morgan (9no) combined for the eighth wicket as Cound held out at 130-7 for a draw.