Newport make history with a fifth title
Newport have continued their dominance of the Shropshire Premier League by winning a fifth successive title.
Dale Rudrum's bowlers stormed home with a week to spare, thanks to Friday night's 11-3 thrashing of Sir John Bayley.
That result together with Meole Brace's 9-5 home defeat to Ifton, saw them obtain an unassailable 18-point lead.
It's the first time in the competition's history that a team has won it for five consecutive seasons.
Rudrum said: "We are absolutely delighted – to win the league five years in a row is a fantastic achievement.
"We set out at the start of the beginning of the season to do it and it's mission accomplished. It's not been easy. Over the past few years we have always been the team everyone wants to shoot down.
"But we have a strong core. I have 14 very good players to pick from. It's a real team effort and everyone knows they have to play well to keep their place."
Rudrum, who will stand down as skipper at the end of the season, praised rivals Meole Brace who now are under pressure for the runners-up spot.
He said: "Meole Brace have pushed us all the way. The important thing for us was to get our noses ahead. Once we did that, I always thought we would be OK."
Elsewhere, things remain tense at the bottom. Archibald Worthington's 11-3 home win over St Georges saw them move seven points above the drop zone after Bylet lost 12-2 at Castlefields.
Bottom spot will be decided on the final day with Archie at Burway while Bylet host Hadley USC.
