NEWTOWN began their Mansfield Shropshire League One campaign with a four wicket win at home to Bomere Heath on Saturday.
Namibian new signing JC Balt starred with opening day figures of 4-25 as Heath were left to defend just 126-8 with Chris Stevens (21no) top scoring.
Town made heavy weather of their reply with John Anthony (27) top scoring while support from Iwan Smout (18) and Tom Anderson (18) edged them toward their target.
A seventh wicket stand between Adam Knight (9no) and Griff Davies (5no) settled the outcome as Town closed on 128-6 despite the efforts of Connor Green (3-33).
Action from Newtown's victory over Bomere Heath. Picture by David Evans.
Alberbury crashed to a 150 run defeat at Chelmarsh in a second division opening weekend to forget.
Connor Glendinning (51) and Elliot Ward (24) top scored before Scott Randall (38no) guided the hosts to 186-7 with Ben Davies (3-30), Ieuan Griffiths (2-28) and Jason Joseph (2-43) taking wickets.
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Only Garrett Houston (12) managed double figures in reply with Ward (7-19) and Randall (2-11) skittling the visitors for 36 inside 18 overs.
Montgomery endured a miserable opening weekend with a 113 run thrashing at Broseley in division three.
Alfie Oakes (76) and Gavin Jones (70) starred to lead the hosts to 199-4 to defend with Tom Hughes (2-20) the pick of Monty's attack.
Aaron Ruff-Cock (38no) and Rob Bennett (20) offered defiance in reply but Dan Handley (4-7), Jones (3-31) and Devin Wilke (2-3) ensured Monty's demise for 86.
Action from Newtown's victory over Bomere Heath. Picture by David Evans.
Welshpool's third division home clash against Willey was cancelled along with Bishop's Castle's fourth division fixture at home to Shifnal IIIs.
Guilsfield celebrated a dream start to the fourth division season with a 102 run win at Condover.
Duncan Todd (40no), Rhodri Parfitt (35), Jordan Evans (24) and Dave Lewis (21) helped the Guils to 168-8 with James Bradshaw (3-39) and Robbie Barker (2-7) leading the wickets.
Katie Parfitt (6-14) and Todd (2-13) skittled the home side for 66 in reply with William Davis (14no) top scoring.
Action from Newtown's victory over Bomere Heath. Picture by David Evans.
Newtown IIs' fifth division clash at Bomere Heath IIs was cancelled while Llanidloes opened their season with a 43 run win at home to Church Stretton.
Will Denham (57) led Llanidloes to 116-8 to defend under pressure from Cian Iddison (2-18) and Saif Khalid (2-18).
Syed Tanzeel Ur Rehman Naqvi (27) top scored in reply but Will Denham (3-38), James Denham (3-7) and Eogan Jones (2-15) ensured Stretton's demise for 73.
Montgomery IIs' sixth division fixture at Lilleshall IIs was cancelled along with Welshpool IIs' meeting at Willey IIs.
Guilsfield IIs fell to a 46 run defeat at home to Beacon IIIs in division eight.
Jim Porter (32) led the visitors to 93 to defend with Garry Foster (4-14) and Finley Hunter (2-22) leading the wickets.
Only Foster (15) posted double figures in reply as Dan Hanna-Davies (5-7) and Thomas Wallace (4-9) completed their demise for 447.
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