Newtown 153-4 beat Alberbury 147 all out by six wickets

NEWTOWN maintained their healthy lead at the top of the John Rees first division with a six wicket win at Alberbury.

The wickets tumbled early at Pecknall Farm with the home top order falling cheaply.

Mike Crawshaw was caught for a duck by Ricky Davies off Tom Anderson (1-13) while Dave Anthony (2-6) celebrated the removal of Lara Jones, caught for a duck by Sam Morris, and opener Owain Roberts (4).

Joe Monk (1-34) maintained the pressure with the cheap removal of Joss Elliott (5).

Ed Kneale and Matt Bevan offered middle order resistance as the home side finally began to work the scoreboard.

However John Anthony bowled Bevan for 25 with Kneale caught by Anderson off Ally Laird for 36.

Laird also caught and bowled Ieuan Griffiths (1) to complete his 2-36.

Tail end resistance ended with Myles Thomas (11) falling to John Anthony (2-19) before Sam Morris (20) and Oliver Corbett (5) fell Craig Davies to complete Alberbury's demise for 147.

John Anthony and Sam Morris laid the foundations in reply before Morris was snared LBW by Griffiths (1-26) for 24.

Ricky Davies soon departed, caught by Lara Jones off Roberts (1-27) for two.

However Twm Foulkes steadied the ship alongside Anthony until the latter was caught by Crawshaw off Morris for a top scoring 68.

Anderson joined Foulkes in pushing Newtown toward their target before he was caught by Bevan off Morris (2-31)for 12.

Foulkes (26no) was not to be denied and formed an unbroken fifth wicket stand alongside Matthew Knight (2no) to guide Newtown to glory in the 31st over.