WHILE Evesham's senior side was hanging on for a draw at Dorridge in Saturday's Birmingham League second division clash, Ian Stowe was in devastating form as the seconds recorded an easy victory over Newport.

After hitting a half-century in Evesham's 264-8 that also saw Alex Harrison remain unbeaten on 61, Stowe took nine visiting wickets to spearhead the home side to victory by a massive 179 runs.

Jon Gregory was the man to deny his opening bowling partner all ten and he recorded the impressive figures of 1-12 off eight overs after hitting 33 with the bat when coming in at number nine.

Newport, though, had no answer to Stowe who took his final wicket in his 18th over and ended up with figures of 9-33.

A much-changed first team, lacking Neal and Luke Radford and wicket keeper Chris Weaver, were always up against it after an unbeaten 114 from Smith had helped Dorridge reach 265-6 in their 55 overs.

Shahid Saeed (2-66) and Adam Brookes (3-94) struck three early blows after Barry Clements had won the toss but Smith and Ball embarked on a century stand for the fourth wicket that ultimately took the match out of Evesham's hands.

Saeed was then the first wicket to fall in reply and, when Scott Marshall was next out without troubling the scorers, the visitors were up against it.

Clements and Suckling battled bravely and like, Mike Granacki, David Mullett and Gavin Spares, all got a start but a substantial innings wasn't forthcoming and Brookes and Stewart Langstone clung on at 207-9.

Sunday's scheduled Clubs League game against Pershore was called off when their opponents were unable to raise a side.

The second team travelled to Ombersley where they were dismissed for 121 in an eight-wicket reverse.

The Avon Street side are on the road again on Saturday with a league visit to Bridgnorth before they play host to Coventry and North Warwickshire 24 hours later in the semi-final of the Graham Williamson Plate.

The latter competition is for the 12 members of the Premier League together with the champions and runners-up of Divisions Two and Three.

Evesham lost in the first round of the Trophy competition against Wellington in April but victory over West Brom Dartmouth leaves the Avon Street outfit just one win away from a place in the final on Sunday, July 30.