PETE Alexander plundered a superb 135 not out yet still finished up on the losing side as Astwood Bank went down by 11 runs to Shropshire side Newport in Birmingham League Division Three.

Chasing an imposing target of 284 for six, Astwood Bank just fell short by 11 runs as they closed on 273 for nine.

At one stage it looked as though Astwood Bank would succumb to a heavy defeat as they slumped to 80 for seven at one stage of their reply before Alexander and Tom Shepherd, who struck 47, managed to turn matters around.

Bank skipper Steve Adshead said: "At one stage it looked as though Newport would score well over 300 and we did well to peg them back.

"Pete batted really well but we failed to build a platform from which we could attack.

"We wanted 29 to win off the last over, which was one hell of an ask, but we did manage to score 18 "I haven't fired with the bat yet this season and you could say the same about the top order.

"But there's no panic. We lost our first two games last season and went onto finish third.

"We simply haven't got going yet this season and have made a slow start, but there's nothing to suggest we won't get going soon."