MONMOUTH Cricket Club sponsored by Misbah Tandoori Restaurant and the Vine Tree defeated Penallt in a friendly by 150 runs to finish the season on a high note.
Batting first, Monmouth's W Etheridge (29) and G Hyde put on 108 for the second wicket after B Prewett had been bowled by S Owens early on.
With the sun beating down resembling a day in July rather than one in September, the outfield was quick and boundaries were easy to come by for Hyde as he reached his century in the 29th over before playing on to Z Shagoor two balls after reaching his landmark.
As the innings continued the pitch became more and more tricky and the run rate slowed, especially with skipper Jones (46 n.o.) running out of partners. L Rees (79 n.o.) gave valuable support adding 55 for the eight wicket to help Monmouth post a score of 237 for eight off 40 overs.
With conditions now more favourable to bowling, Penallt had no answer to Monmouth's quartet of swing and spin.
Jones (eight overs 3-23) and Etheridge (eight overs 1-22) repeatedly went past the outside edge of the bat without much success.
Only Owens (falling to Jones's other one) and Shagoor (hitting the only six of the match) put up any resistance as Hancocks ripped through the late order taking 5-20 off five overs; his first five wicket haul for the Club (and allegedly his first catch!). It was a fine display of slow inswing tempters which have caused problems to many batsmen throughout the season.
O Squire claimed the other wicket with his spinners, while in the field D Guppy claimed too smart catches and Flipper Childs snatched a sharp effort behind the stumps.
Penallt ended up on 87 all out after 26 overs leaving Monmouth victors by 150 runs.