Oswestry beaten as Newport shot out for just 28

High-flying Newport were also skittled for just 28 and new boys Sentinel all out for 50. Division two leaders Oswestry lost to second-placed Fordhouses who closed the gap at the top to 22 points.

The Morda Road men went into the weekend’s matches in confident mood – and a whopping 43 points clear at the summit.

Prior to Saturday, the only points they had dropped this season came when their last home clash against Coventry and North Warwickshire was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Robbie Clarke (48) and Warrick Fynn (42) began well for the hosts but the introduction of spinners David Powles (3-33) and Tendai Chisoro (3-51) began a slide to 203-9.

In reply, Fordhouses top three of Niall Cooper (84), Shoaib Akhtar (50) and Alex McChristie (39 not out) helped their side to a comfortable six wicket victory. In the third division, Newport’s batsmen had a day to forget as they made just 28, losing by 10 wickets at Lichfield.

Before they made the trip to Staffordshire to face the division three leaders, a win for Newport could have taken them to top spot.

However, batting first they were blown away with five of the Newport batsmen going for a duck as a superb bowling performance from Adam Peat settled things.

Opening bowler Peat took six wickets for three runs from seven overs with Newport opening batsman Ian Gillespie carrying his bat for 17. Lichfield then breezed their way to a 10-wicket victory in 9.1 overs.

The match between Brewood and Sentinel was also a low-scoring affair, with Sentinel dismissed for 50 in response to the home side’s 131.

Jamie Lunn top scored with 32 as Alex Johnson (3-21), Andrew Harrison (3-27) and David Laird (3-61) shared nine of the wickets to fall.

Apart from Ben Mathews (24), Sentinel were unable to cope with Aussie Wade Lezar who rushed through their batting line-up to finish with 7-20.