MONMOUTH Cricket Club slumped to a disappointing five-wicket defeat at home against Cardiff-based Whitchurch Heath on Saturday in Division Three of the South East Wales Cricket League.

On a humid day at the Sports Ground, Whitchurch won the toss and elected to bowl first on yet another excellent looking wicket. The decision seemed to be a smart one when opener Josh Grey (13) played a loose looking shot to Mike Richards (4/17 off 9) in just the third over. Richards would indeed prove to be Monmouth’s chief tormentor at the top of the order, bowling with great accuracy and control and generating plenty of bounce from the Monmouth surface as he removed Dave Croudace (17), Matt Jones (2) and skipper Ben Turner (1) to leave the hosts reeling at 53/5 at the 20 over stage.

A revival of sorts came about through hard hitting all-rounder Alim Hansraj (31) and the in form Adam Roberts (51) as the pair put on 63 for the sixth wicket, but when Hansraj fell to the leg spin of Chris Vamos (2/28 off 5) another clutter of wickets saw Monmouth slump to an all out score of a below par 134 in the 42nd over.

Knowing they would need to produce something extra special in the field, Monmouth started brightly with the ball as Josh Grey (2/36 off 4) removed first opener S.Mitchell for four, and then danger man D.Tibbs for one to see the visitors slip to 18/2. Grey was well supported by Wales U14 spinner Ben Davies (2/32 off 9), playing his eighth game in 10 days, and the ever reliable Alim Hansraj (1/30 off 9) to leave the match evenly poised at the half way stage with Whitchurch 74/5 after 21 overs. However, former Wales U17 and Radyr batsman Chris Vamos (61*) had other ideas, and in partnership with opposition skipper Kris Rogers (15*) put on the required 62 remaining runs to see the visitors home in the 37th over.

Despite the heavy defeat and on a day of very few bright spots for Monmouth, the debut of Gwent U13 leg spinner Sam Swingwood (0/19 off 8.5) was a joy to watch, as the youngster bowled with remarkable control and guile, and caused the opposition batsman no end of trouble through the quantity of turn and bounce he was generating. However, Monmouth picked up only four points from the defeat and as a result have now slipped down to fourth place in Division Three. They will look to bounce back next week and put in a much improved performance, but face a tricky away tie at third placed Dinas Powys, a ground they have not won at since 2013. Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth should contact [email protected]