A MONMOUTH second team shorn of almost all its first choice players slumped to an eight-wicket defeat away to Monkswood in their opening fixture of the new season.

Stand-in skipper Liam Stubbs lost the toss and was put in to bat. The Monmouth batsmen quickly fell away on a tricky pitch and at one stage were 14-8. A ninth-wicket partnership of 37 between 18 year-old debutant Javed Choudury (12 not out) and club newcomer Jon Drewitt (20) restored a degree of respectability before the innings closed in the 24th over with Monmouth 56 all out.

In reply Monmouth stuck to their task with a tidy opening spell from Gwent under 13 seamer Alf Robinson (3-1-6-0), supported by overs from Choudury and Tony Brennan. Greg Pendleton, returning to Monmouth after a 14-year absence, took a wicket (1/9) as did Drewitt (1/10) and there was a smart catch for Neil Saunders. Under the watchful eye of injured non-playing captain Rick Parkes there were also good performances in the field from Greg Thomas, Mike Maguire and wicket keeper Barry Jones, but Monkswood progressed to a comfortable eight-wicket win in the tenth over.

Monmouth seconds will be looking to bounce back next Saturday as they host Machen at the Sports Ground, with a 1pm start.