Newtown 181 all out beat Bomere Heath 152 all out by 29 runs

NEWTOWN gained ground on Bomere Heath with a 29 run home win in the Henshalls Shropshire Premier League.

The loss of opener Sam Morris, snared LBW for just one by Chris Stevens (1-16), was compensated by a second wicket stand between John Anthony and Richard Smout who formed a solid partnership to galvanise the hosts.

Smout was finally caught by Benjamin Ellis-Dean off Andrew Oliver for 36 with Anthony caught by Ryan Davies for a top scoring 44 off Harry Bolland (1-24).

Tom Anderson looked to revive the middle order before becoming a victim of Ben Cox, caught by Rob Dean for 14.

Cox continued his haul as Tom Foulkes (7), Sam Cooke (5), Iwan Smout (4)and Joe Monk (2) departed cheaply as Town continued their middle order wobble.

Captain Ally Laird was also sent back to the pavilion cheaply, run out by Ryan Davies for seven.

A spirited tail end knock from Dave Anthony frustrated the visitors until his departure, caught and bowled by Cox (6-32) for 22 to leave Newtown defending 181.

Dave Anthony and Tom Anderson led Newtown’s bowling attack in reply as Heath suffered a top order collapse.

Anderson bowled Stevens for a duck before Anthony matched the feat as Davies departed for nought.

Anthony trapped opener Henry Preece LBW for seven as wickets continued to tumble.

Heath’s middle order rallied but Anderson (2-36) maintained the pressure with the wicket of Rob Dean, caught by Monk for 14.

Laird bowled Bolland (17) before Anthony toppled the wicket of Cox (20).

Captain Laird continued his haul with Darren Nudds caught by Monk for 18.

Jamie Dean looked to offer defiamce but Newtown were not to be denied as further pressure on the tail end ensured their victory.

Foulkes ran out Ellis-Dean for a duck before Laird (3-31) bowled Andrew Oliver (12).

Dean (35no) was joined by Steve Denton in a final wicket stand but when the latter was caught by Laird off Dave Anthony (4-24) for nine it represented the end of Heath’s challenge as Town celebrated a hard-fought 29 run victory.