Newport evaded the poor weather as they took maximum points against bottom side Aston Unity to pull clear at the foot of Birmingham League Division Two.

After Paul Furniss (61) led Newport to 152-4, Unity then suffered a ninth straight defeat when Jonathan Mountford helped bowl them out for 119.

Newport are now third from bottom, 48 points in front of Unity, but only six clear of safety.

In the Premier Division, Shifnal's match against Himley was abandoned.

In Division One, the rain played its part in what could have been an exciting finish.

Shrewsbury notched up 187-5 in a game reduced to 25 overs, Reece O'Connell (58) and Ed Foster (37) proving the main contributors, while Cannock off spinner Mike Talbot took 4-64.

In reply, the Staffordshire side reached 31-1 when the game was abandoned because of rain.

In another rain-affected game, Wellington batted first, making a respectable 169-7 at Orleton Park, Rajat Bhatia top scoring with 55.

Bromsgrove then took their chance to go top of the table replying with 155-8, reaching their winning draw target.

In Division Two, St Georges made the short trip to Wolverhampton-based Penn, where they were frustrated by a fine innings from home skipper Richard Bradford who top scored with 110 not out in his side's 212-3.

In reply, St Georges reached 116-4, Chris Miller (46) holding the innings together before rain stopped play and the game was abandoned.

In Division Three, Whitchurch's home game against Coleshill and the Shropshire derby between Bridgnorth and Oswestry were abandoned without a ball being bowled.