Rajat Bhatia duck can't halt Newport

Downes was encouraged by his side's batting because, for once, his Indian Premier League star Rajat Bhatia failed to dent the scoreboard, departing for a duck.

That didn't stop Newport recovering from 29-4 to post 198 all out thanks to a 70-run ninth-wicket stand from Ed Fowler (32) and Nick Watkins (38).

Bhatia may have struggled with the bat, but he took 3-16 with the ball to help Downes (4-20) dismiss Worfield for 102.

The Indian all-rounder still averages 70 with the bat this season – the highest in Division Three of the Birmingham District League, at a strike rate of 105.

But Saturday's performance reassured Downes, who said: "He's not going to do it every week, we know that.

"He got a good ball second ball, it happens, so it's important that we all stand up when he doesn't get a score.

"I know we can do that, we've got a strong batting line-up. But a few lads who were out of form early on, now they're coming good."

Newport have picked up 69 of their 87 points in the last four matches, after a dreadful start to the season yielded just 18 points from the opening five.

Downes said: "The table is split into two already. We're at the top of the bottom section and then there's a bit of a gap between us and the rest.

"If we just keep picking up points and gather momentum, we can get to August and see where we are.

"There's still a lot of points up for grabs, we've got quite a bit of ground to make up after a poor start but we're heading in the right direction."

Worfield, meanwhile, are nine points back in fourth-bottom, the final relegation spot.

Second-bottom Whitchurch gained eight points on Eastnor with a winning draw over their rivals from Herefordshire, but they came within one wicket of a huge win.

Ijaz Yousaf starred with bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 80 before taking 5-39. Whitchurch won the toss and elected to bat, posting 275-5 from their 55 overs.

Opener Ed Watson-Jones (58) got them off to a good start, but it was Yousaf's 129-run partnership with Kristen Ali (62) that did the most damage.

In reply, Tareq Jamil smashed four sixes and 11 fours on his way to 121 off 111 balls but Eastnor could only reach 263.

Eastnor went nine down late on when Simon Bowen ran out Dawud Ahmed, but they held on for a losing draw.

Premier Division champions Shrewsbury's struggles continued as they slipped to a seven wicket defeat to Knowle & Dorridge.

Shrewsbury were dismissed to 154 – with the only bright spot a third wicket stand of 117 between Ben Stebbings (66) and Oliver Westbury (50).

After looking well placed on 123-3, Shrewsbury lost their last seven wickets for just 21 runs, setting the hosts a victory target of 155.

Warwickshire second-teamer Jonathan Webb (4-37) and Beau Webster (3-19) mopped up the tail.

It came before an opening stand of 107 between Alex Phillips (72 not out) and Webb (52) laid the foundations for K & D's easy victory.

The closest finish of the day came in Division One at Orleton Park, in a match reduced to 40 overs per side, where Wellington finished on 142-7 in reply to Brockhampton's 144-6.

Bhargav Merai (40) and Wendell Wagner (34 not out) put the Shropshire side into a promising position, but Callum Stewart (3-25) struck late on to save the game for the visitors.

Bridgnorth slipped to defeat at Old Hill, but Worcestershire bowler Charlie Morris took 6-27 as Old Hill clawed their way to 97-7 in reply to Bridgnorth's 93.

In Division two, Oswestry's long wait for a home win goes on – but they secured a winning draw with Cannock & Rugeley Hawks.

The Morda Road men side reached 255-8 with solid contributions from Joe Carrasco (62), Xavier Clarke (49) and Junaid Cassiem (44).

Hawks finished on 232-9, after Omar Ali hit 73 and Saqib Akbar scored 43. Left-arm spinners Warrick Fynn (4-52) and Mark Robinson (4- 66) kept the Hawks innings in check.

Shifnal also had a winning draw, at home to Harborne whose skipper Andy Lloyd hit 108 in an innings of 216 with Charlie Home taking 4-57.

Shifnal reached 208-7 thanks to 77 from Shropshire all-rounder Jack McIver.