South East Wales Cricket League Division Three - Monmouth (188-8 - 45 overs) v Creigiau (102-3 - 30 overs) Match abandoned

MONMOUTH Cricket Club were indebted to a 91-run partnership between their Wales under 15 youngster Ben Davies (36) and skipper Adam Roberts (70) on Saturday, but ultimately rain had the final say.

After winning a crucial toss on an overcast day and with heavy rain forecast for later in the afternoon, the visitors inserted Monmouth on what were tricky batting conditions.

The visitors’ bowling attack showed great control of line and length as openers David Martin (2-37) and Wyn Innes (2-21) had Monmouth in deep trouble at the 20 over mark. With the score at just 54-4, opener Dave Croudace (30) was the only Monmouth player showing any kind of resistance before he was controversially given out caught behind.

However, skipper Adam Roberts and youngster Ben Davies mixed some watchful defence with excellent strike rotation to make a 91-run partnership before Davies was run out for a very well made 36. Roberts continued his strong early season form with a watchful 70 though the visitors will no doubt be kicking themselves for a few dropped chances that could have made things a lot worse for Monmouth.

Some late order hitting from Alim Hansraj (18) saw Monmouth reach the end of their 45-over innings with a respectable but far from imposing score of 188-8. For Creigiau there were wickets for Ben Taylor (1-41), Martin Powell (1-28) and Glyn Thomas (1-9).

After the tea interval Monmouth knew they would need to match Creigiau’s discipline with the ball but openers Ben Taylor (13) and Dewi Williams (32) took the score to 33 before Swingwood (1-10) removed Taylor leg before wicket. The visitors then made steady progress but as the rain started to fall heavier and heavier it became clear an early finish was more than likely, but not before man of the match Ben Davies (2-31) was able to remove the dangerous looking Dewi Williams for 32 and Martin Powell for 31. Creigiau reached 102-3 from 30 overs before the umpires decided conditions had become too wet for the game to continue.

The abandoned game sees both teams receive 10 points, which with only one other game in the division being completed was probably a fair result. Monmouth, sponsored by Burkert Fluid Solutions, remain in fifth place in Division Three and face a trip to Machen next Saturday as they look to close the gap on the league leaders.

Anyone wishing to play cricket for Monmouth this season should contact [email protected]