A FINE all-round display from Gareth Jones and a half-century from Ben Davies inspired Monmouth CC 1sts to an emphatic seven-wicket win at Abercynon in South East Wales 6 on Saturday.

Vice-captain Jones snapped up 4-34 from eight impressive overs as Monmouth dismissed struggling Abercynon for 161.

Opener Davies then cracked a breezy 51 and Jones made 36, as the visitors stormed to 165-3 with 12.4 overs remaining.

Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, remain third and host fourth-placed Vale 2nds at the Sports Ground this Saturday (July 18, 12.30pm).

After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Monmouth skipper Peter Keay (1-26 from eight overs) led from the front with a tight opening burst.

Opening batters David Ricketts (37) and Aaki Wickramaratne (32) gave Abercynon a solid start with a stand of 68.

However, Monmouth gained the upper hand on a hot afternoon after the fiery Eddie Atkinson (2-27-8) broke through.

The hosts then took wickets at regular intervals through Gareth Jones, Ben Pilot (2-34-7.4) and Davies (1-33-8), supported by catches from Keay and Davies.

Sai Babu Gattam (34) offered resistance for second-bottom Abercynon, who were eventually bowled out in 39.4 overs.

In reply, Davies, who faced just 51 balls in his half-century innings, and Gareth Jones put Monmouth in command with a 75-run opening stand.

The visitors remained in the driving seat with Paul Brooks striking five boundaries and a six in a hard-hitting unbeaten 29.

Pilot also chipped in with 26 as Monmouth reached the target in the 28th over to secure a first league double of the campaign.

Meanwhile, a club-best 4-7 haul from Sam Uttley and a superb 79 from skipper Andrew Dobbie helped Monmouth 2nds to a 114-run home win over basement boys Bridgend Town 4ths in SEW 12.

Teenager Ieuan Jones also had an afternoon to remember, clean-bowling former Wales and British Lions scrum-half Rob Howley for 30 with a ball that kept low.

Opener Dobbie, with 12 fours and a six, provided the bedrock of Monmouth’s 218 all out from 40 overs, backed by Jake Teague (32) and the hard-hitting Charlie Mallen, who smashed two sixes and two fours in his 29.

Nick Holt made 13 and there were late fireworks from Monty Clarke (22), including a six on to the roof of the pavilion, and Ieuan Jones (13).

Wayne Barrington (5-38) took the bowling plaudits for Bridgend, while Howley claimed 1-33-8 as Bridgend kept their composure in the heat.

A lively opening burst from Kit Skailes (2-14) immediately put Monmouth on the front foot as Bridgend slid to 18-3.

Visiting skipper Brent Parry (30) and Howley (30) temporarily halted the procession of wickets before Uttley got down to work in his excellent 4.3-over stint.

Holt and Paul Mallen were dynamic in the field, with Holt holding an athletic tumbling catch at backward square leg to remove Parry.

Ieuan Jones (2-23), Tom Russell (1-6) and Clarke (1-13) all chipped in with wickets, while Teague, Skailes, Ian Morgan and Dobbie took catches as Bridgend were shot out for 101 in the 29th over for Monmouth’s fourth league win.

The 2nds travel to Francis Field in Tutshill this Saturday to face third-placed Chepstow 3rds, while Monmouth 3rds host Division 15 table-toppers Caerdydd Barbarians at Chippenham Fields after Radyr 6ths were unable to field a team on Saturday.

Monmouth Women’s training takes place tonight (Wednesday) at the Sports Ground from 6.30pm ahead of their South Wales Women’s One hardball trip to second-placed Sudbrook this Sunday (July 19).

And senior players’ training continues tomorrow (Thursday) from 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Monmouth make Forest Hundred final – Page ??