FORMER Wales Youth star Ben Davies snapped up two wickets on his comeback for newly-promoted Monmouth Cricket Club in their rain-ravaged season-opener against TAW on Saturday.

The left-arm spinner, who last played for Monmouth in 2017 before moving to higher-graded Abergavenny, bowled tidily and instigated a run-out in the South East Wales 6 Sports Ground showdown , which ultimately fell victim to heavy rain.

Davies first bowled for Monmouth’s 1st XI against Whitchurch Heath in 2014 when just 12, and took 6-20 against Cardiff Gymkhana in 2015, a season that saw him claim an impressive 36 league scalps.

Fellow spinner Gareth Jones (3-34-7) also impressed at the weekend, helping dismiss Cardiff-based TAW for 176 after the visitors had raced to 81-0 in 10 overs.

Davies (2-21-8) made the crucial breakthrough for Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, removing the dangerous Sudesh Duvuru for 30.

Jones then trapped free-scoring Jeevan Mudupuluvemula lbw (48), as Peter Keay’s Monmouth side reduced TAW to 116-6.

Fine support bowling from Ben Pilot (2-42-8), Adam Roberts (1-21-6) and skipper Keay (1-33), kept Monmouth on top, despite gritty knocks from Venkata Madaguri (26) and Mahendra Naraharisetty (24).

And smart catches from Pilot (2), Henry Breeze and Osian Jones, helped dismiss TAW, runners-up to Monmouth in Division 7 last summer, in 36.5 overs.

With rain looming, Monmouth’s batters threw caution to the wind, storming to 46-1 in eight overs.

But despite valiant efforts from Adam Roberts (33), Breeze (31), Matt Jones (16) and Ben Lander (12), rain arrived in the 14th over to wash out proceedings with the hosts on 93-5.

Monmouth picked up 12 bonus points to TAW’s 11, and will be hoping for better weather this Saturday when they entertain Abercynon (12.30pm).

Elsewhere, captain Andrew Dobbie struck 62 as Monmouth 2nds posted 205-9 from 40 overs in their Division 12 opener against Newport Fugitives 3rds at Crosskeys.

After slipping to a precarious 7-2, Dobbie and teenager Harry Coulthard (33) repaired Monmouth’s innings, the skipper and all-rounder Joe Walton (40) then providing the bedrock of the total on a tricky pitch with a 94-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Teenager Monty Clarke blasted a quick-fire 22 not out, including three fours and a six, and Tony Brennan made 12 as Monmouth finished with a flourish.

After tidy opening bursts from Sam Brennan (0-9) and Walton (0-2), Fugitives were 12-0 from four overs when the rain arrived, with Bridgend 4ths away next this Saturday.

Just a stone’s throw away from Crosskeys, opener Nick Holt hit a career-best 65 as Monmouth 3rds made 152 all-out at Abercarn 2nds in Division 15.

The club treasurer also struck his first-ever six for Theo Minnie’s side, who began the new season in encouraging fashion.

Last-minute call-up Mike Maguire (18) and Holt laid the foundations with an entertaining 56-run partnership, while Pablo Nayager hit 16.

It was great to see captain Minnie back in action after missing last summer with a back injury and teenagers Xander Wilton, James Nayager and Ieuan Jones stepping up from the Under-13s.

There was also tremendous spirit and enthusiasm throughout from Sean McCluskey, Chris Powles, Greg Thomas and newcomer David Wartelhock.

Swing bowler Nayager also bagged an early wicket before rain intervened with Abercarn on 12-1 from five overs.

Monmouth 3rds host Radyr 6ths at Chippenham Fields on Saturday (12.30pm).

Monmouth also open their Forest Hundred campaign at home to Ruardean Hill tonight (Wednesday) at 6pm.

And the club’s eight Dynamos and All Stars sessions get under way at the Sports Ground this Friday from 5.30pm, the ECB’s popular participation programmes for boys and girls.

The one-hour sessions are May 8, 15; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10.

See ecb.clubspark.uk/allstars/monmouth and contact club ECB Core Coach Pablo Nayager at [email protected]