SAM Swingwood celebrated his eighth birthday with a fine all-round performance in Monmouth Cricket Club's Under-9's first-ever match.

The son of Monmouth's first-team skipper Paul Swingwood took a wicket, held a couple of fine catches and hit the hosts' top score of five not out against Wormelow.

Monmouth were well captained by Ben Davies, who bowled tidily, snapped up a couple of sharp catches and kept his wicket in tact when he opened the batting.

The whole Monmouth team should take heart from a very good bowling and fielding display against more experienced opposition.

For full report see Beacon 17/08/11.