Newtown hold on for losing draw

Skipper Tony Springer inserted decision to put the visitors in to bat proved fruitful early on as John Anthony claimed an early wicket with a full toss chipped to the returning Tom Foulkes at cover.

 

A small partnership was broken when Craig Davies picked off the usually prolific Ben Matthews for 10 which brought Shelton's overseas South African batsman to the crease. He was sent back for four after a cracking Anthony delivery and soon after, Davies claimed his second wicket.

 

Another couple of quick wickets left Shelton precariously placed at 87-6, only for Shaun Davies to take full advantage of three dropped catches to blaze his way to a swashbuckling 79no, ably assisted by youngster Sam Griffiths who made 22. Shelton closed on 183-7.

Newtown's reply got off to the worst possible start when Steve Davies was trapped lbw by Steve Griffiths for 0. Stuart Putson joined young Dave Laird at the crease and set about seeing off the new ball despite some good bowling from Steve and Sam Griffiths. After surviving the pace attack, Dave Laird got excited by the introduction of spin and was caught behind for 15 trying to heave Ross Griffiths into the leg side.

 

Tom Goodman making his first appearance for town following his move from Llanidloes and looked solid and, along with Putson, was pushing the rate along nicely.

 

Shelton's man of the moment with the bat, Davies, was introduced and this bought about a momentary lapse in concentration in Putson's batting which lead to an ugly swipe which took the middle stump out of the ground at 35.

 

A collapse followed with Goodman falling for 11, Sam Cooke (8) and Tony Springer (4) succumbing to the spin of Ross Griffiths who continued his good early season form with figures off 4-41. Tom Foulkes entered the fray later than expected after a nasty shoulder injury in the field and set about getting the score to the losing draw target with some big 6's. When Anthony ran himself out for four, it left Jono and Foulkes to fight hard for nine overs and a partnership of 31 let Newtown off the hook.

 

Newtown held firm to close on 150-9 which enabled the team to get its first points of the season and the fight shown by some of the youngsters and especially Foulkes to enable Newtown to bat for a full 50 overs will bode well for the rest of the season.