DAVID Teague broke a thumb as Monmouth Cricket Club crashed to a five-wicket defeat at promotion- chasing Netherton in Division 2 of the Crusader Worcestershire County League on Saturday. Monmouth's vice-captain sustained the nasty injury while fielding close to the wicket and is expected to miss the final seven matches of the season. Teague suffered the dislocation and fracture to his thumb after just three overs of the Netherton innings in attempting to catch a well-struck shot at silly mid-off. The injury is a blow for Monmouth who remain fourth from bottom and host basement club Belbroughton in a crucial battle at the Sports Ground this Saturday (1.30pm start). Despite the defeat at Netherton, Monmouth will be heartened by the Dunkirk spirit shown by Mark Temple, who hit a patient 35 in the visitors‚ 105 all out on a damp pitch. Opener Temple top-scored for Monmouth and was supported early-on by Paul Swingwood (12) as Monmouth progressed cautiously to 55-2 in the 28th over. However, Max Harris (14) was the only other Monmouth batsman to reach double figures as the visitors‚ innings collapsed on an unpredictable pitch. Netherton captain Nigel Davenport (4-40) and Abbot (4-30) starred for the second-placed Dudley outfit who eventually dismissed Monmouth in the 48th over. After the interval, all-rounder Teague (pictured) was taken to hospital after just three overs but Monmouth, sponsored by The Priory Nursing Home and Misbah Tandoori Restaurant, rallied. Jonathan Roberts bowled superbly, removing the Oseland brothers, Lee and then Patel to reduce Netherton to 40-4 in the 20th over. However, the arrival at the crease of home captain Davenport changed the game as he proceeded to blast a match-winning 62 not out. Remarkably, Davenport was the only Netherton player to reach double figures as he dispatched the Monmouth bowlers with gusto. He hammered five sixes as high-flying Netherton wrapped up the win - and a league double over Monmouth in the 38th over. Roberts finished with 4-33 from 15 overs, while Ian Mackinlay (1-19) bagged the other Netherton wicket to fall. The match balls were sponsored by Nigel Morris Cleaning Ltd and Hancocks butchers. Rain rescues Seconds HEAVY rain came to Monmouth Seconds‚ rescue in their top-of-the-table clash against visiting Netherton Seconds on Saturday in Division 2 2nd XI of the Crusader Worcestershire County League. Promotion-chasing Netherton Seconds piled up 256-8 from their 50 overs, with G Cole hitting an outstanding 101, as Monmouth struggled to contain the Midlands team. M Clifford (57), M Culwick (21), and M Buttery (20) also made useful contributions for Netherton, who forfeited the toss after arriving late at the Sports Ground. Monmouth skipper Martin Newell (3-55) was Monmouth's most successful bowler, while Dan MacDonald claimed 2-19, Steve Morgan, 2-68, and Idris Leonard, 1-34. Wicketkeeper Jonathan Davies was outstanding, claiming three stumpings and a catch, while Jag Saran and Newell also held a catch each. Despite Rob Prewett's confident 24, Monmouth Seconds were in trouble at 48-4 in the 16th over when the rain arrived at 6.15pm and forced the match to be abandoned. MacDonald (11 not out) and Tej Saran (seven not out) were the undefeated batsmen at the crease for Monmouth when play came to an abrupt halt. Culwick was the pick of the Dudley-based side‚s bowling attack, picking up 3-34, and he was supported by Ditta (1-13). Perhaps rather fortuitously, Monmouth Seconds, sponsored by Alchemy Wealth Management Ltd, collected eight points from the abandoned match. Monmouth Seconds, who have dropped to fourth in the table, travel to play fifth-placed Stourbridge Seconds this Saturday. The match balls were sponsored by Monmouth Cricket Club life member Ian Bowen and club president John Wigmore.