FARCICAL circumstances worked against Newton Cricket Club at Ainsdale on Saturday and they lost the Liverpool and District Competition confrontation.

Newton never really got going in the field as Ainsdale racked up 200 runs for the loss of only three wickets.

At the change over Newton, expecting tea, were told to go out and play without the 10-minute respite and the rolling of the wicket.

Newton found themselves three men down very quickly and before they could talk about a game plan and targets the second innings was in disarray.

A stubborn 36 from form man Ian Walkden and 15 from debut player Chris Chambers was not enough to stop Newton being bowled out for 111.

Newton's second team found themselves extending their lead at the top of the league despite defeat against Ainsdale at the weekend.

Newton moved on to 210 points on the ladder but Highfield could only pick up four in a run feast at Newton's next opponents Orrell Red Triangle.

Newton found themselves in a hole early on in their game with Ainsdale but at 43 for 3 they found resistance and then attack from Long and Brookes.

Long reached 70 and Brookes weighed in with a timely 50.

Some power hitting from Evans at the end allowed Newton to finish on 202 for 7 declared from 44.5 overs.

Newton knew that key early breakthroughs in the second half would be the end of the Ainsdale attack but as the game wore on the luck seemed to desert the home side as catch chances went narrowly wide of fielders.

Great fielding got Newton into the game as Humphreys manufactured a run out.

Long weighed in with his first two wickets of the season and Humphreys pulled two wickets back for the home side as Newton looked to have turned the game back in their favour.

However, some lusty blows from the Ainsdale skipper ended Newton's attack and Ainsdale ran out winners.

Ryan Davies performed brilliantly for Newton on his second-team debut behind the stumps.

The thirds were involved in a rain affected game with Highfield but made all the running thanks to 15-year-old Liam Horsfield, who made a brilliantly composed 53 not out.