THE curtain came down on a disappointing season for Monmouth CC’s First XI on Saturday as their scheduled winner-takes-all promotion clash against rivals Creigiau fell victim to the torrential rain that saw all matches in the South East Wales Cricket League be washouts.

The result sees Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, finish a below par fourth behind deserved champions Whitchurch Heath (247 points), runners-up Crumlin (234 points) and third placed Creigiau (225 points), with the 221 points achieved coming from eight wins and six defeats.

In truth it was a season which saw player availability leave the side all too often relying on its fantastic youngsters but lacking in a few wise old heads. Credit must go to Josh Grey who stood in as skipper for the second half of the season, but with 32 different players used across the season getting any momentum going, particularly in the latter stages, proved near on impossible and told as results were not as had been hoped from the early season promise.

Notable individual performances include Adam Roberts whose 886 runs for the season included six 50s and three 100s at an impressive average of 88.6. Roberts was not the only one in the runs for the season as young opener Matt Jones (417 runs at 37.19 with six 50s) and Josh Grey (411 runs at 31.6 with one 50 and one 100) also made solid contributions. With the ball it was once again young Wales under 14 left arm spinner Ben Davies that ended up leading wicket taker with 18 wickets at 24.22, closely followed by the ever reliable Alim Hansraj whose 16 wickets came at 20.44. Special mention should also go to young Gwent under 13 leg spinner Sam Swingwood who burst into the side at the half way stage and ended up with a very respectable 11 wickets at an average of just 15.64 showing just how big his potential really is.

In the end Monmouth must work hard over the winter at player recruitment and retention and start over again come next summer in their quest for promotion which has alluded them since they successfully won the league in 2012 but were unable to go up.

Meanwhile there was more bad news for the second XI as Llantwit Fardre’s washout against Crumlin saw them achieve the points they needed to leapfrog Monmouth and leave the side at the bottom of the Division Three Second XI table. Much like the firsts, issues of player availability and getting consistent sides out has proven tricky throughout the summer, and some poor results have inevitably followed.

With the bat, veteran Wales over 60 Rob Pendleton was the leading run scorer with 281 runs at an average of 28.1, followed by vice captain Gaz Hughes (133 runs at 11.08). With the ball youngster Sam Swingwood (11 wickets at 14.36) was the stand out performer, closely followed by the ever improving left arm seam bowling of George Williamson (eight wickets at 27.13).

The side will find out in the next couple of weeks which league they will be in next year but look almost certain to be relegated now.

Monmouth CC continue to work hard in the off season. Anyone interested in joining the club, either as a sponsor, a player or as a social member are more than welcome to do so. Contact [email protected] for more details.