STEVE Skinner did his best to get Newtown over 200 but competition leaders RSL-Colts probably hold the upper hand at No.2 Oval.
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After failing to show any patience and bat out their overs against Rugby last game, when they were out for 89 twice and beaten outright, the pressure was on Newtown to dig in against the persistent Colts attack on Saturday.
"I would have liked 220 but that didn't happen," Skinner said.
"Against Colts they build pressure and we couldn't handle it.
"That showed when we lost four for seven and it was always going to be hard from there."
Skinner top scored for Newtown with 71 on a wicket that traditionally produces some good scores. Not on Saturday in the heat.
In the six overs before stumps Tim Smith was caught behind off Ben Patterson's bowling for a duck and Colts will resume on 1-27 this Saturday. Matt Saul is 14no and Nathan Jones 6no.
"I would think that for the most part the ball kept low and from the runs I got I don't think there were too many scoring shots from cut shots," Skinner said.
"Sure we occupied the crease but there were times when we didn't put away loose balls as many times as we could have.
"They (Colts) bowled good areas most of the time so the pressure is always on you to take advantage of any poor deliveries that come your way.
"They want you to make mistakes and that was certainly the case with my poor shot that went straight to Tim Howarth at mid wicket."
Steve Skinner's brother Mat made the next top score of 28 and their second wicket partnership of 53 was the best of the afternoon. After Mat was out at 2-66 Newtown lost three wickets on 73 with Tetaan Henning (6), Dan French (0) and Kel Blackett (0) all going cheaply.
The danger man was young Will Wolter who started with a maiden over and at the end of six had figures of 0-21.
But his seventh over turned the game on its head when he got wickets on the second, fourth and sixth balls and he was now boasting figures of 3-28 and Newtown were struggling at 5-73 and Colts were on top.
Wolter was given plenty of work by his captain Chris Morton and he was able to finish with the game with figures of 3-55 from 14, including two maidens.
Jacob Bruce was also on a good line and length taking 2-19 from 12 overs and Nathan Jones cleaned up the tail with 2-15 from seven.
All the bowlers were economical with Sean Mason, another young bowler, finishing with 1-13 from 10 overs.