A MAIDEN hundred from Ben Davies led promotion-chasing Monmouth 1sts to an emphatic 229-run win against Hopkinstown in South East Wales 6 on Saturday.

The opener hit a superb 115 and was supported by hard-hitting duo Tej Saran (51) and Jonathan Roberts (38) as the hosts piled up 302-9 at the Sports Ground.

Paceman Eddie Atkinson (5-28 from 7.1 overs) and skipper Peter Keay (5-44-8) then bagged five-wicket hauls to skittle out Hopkinstown for 73.

Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, picked up 20 points to leapfrog Panteg 2nds into second with four matches remaining.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Davies and Glamorgan Pathways U16 player Osian Jones (26) put on 81 runs for the opening wicket in 14.5 overs.

Ben Pilot (20) then supported Davies, who raced to his half-century in 57 balls before increasing the run-rate with fine stroke-play.

The 24-year-old opener deservedly reached his first-ever century from 88 deliveries with 10 fours and three sixes.

When Davies eventually departed, having hit 11 fours and four sixes in his 99-ball knock, Monmouth were 180-2 after 26 overs.

With the platform set, Saran blazed five fours and four sixes in his brutal 51 from 25 balls and Roberts’ boundary-laden 38 spanned 27 deliveries.

But with the ball disappearing to all parts of the ground, Hopkinstown’s Sean Price finished with a remarkable 6-38 from six overs.

Monmouth’s opening bowlers, Atkinson and Keay, then reduced the villagers to 29-6 in the eighth over.

Sean McTear (22), Jon Hughes (14) and Callum Davies (13) reached double figures but Hopkinstown were dismissed in just 15.1 overs.

Saran (2), Davies (2) and Paul Brooks took catches as Monmouth completed a league double.

Meanwhile, a match-winning unbeaten 33 from Matthew Williams and a late three-wicket burst from teenager Monty Clarke helped Monmouth 2nds to a 36-run victory in a low-scoring Division 12 clash away to Dinas Powys 3rds.

Monmouth CC 2nds beat Dinas Powys 3rds
Monmouth CC 2nds beat Dinas Powys 3rds (Monmouth CC)

Gareth Jones took 3-13 from eight overs, including the scalp of Ryan Taylor, the second highest run-maker in the division, whom he clean-bowled for a first-ball duck.

And the triumph was a lovely present for captain Andrew Dobbie who celebrated his 32nd birthday earlier in the week.

In difficult batting conditions at The Common, Williams, who hit six boundaries in a confident innings, and Aled Jones (15) added 34 vital runs for the final wicket to lift Monmouth to a defendable 144 all out in 30 overs.

Ian Morgan (14), Dobbie (13), Amosa Nove (13) and Jake Teague (10) all struggled on a tricky wicket with uneven bounce.

Dinas’ batters also found demons in the pitch with Gareth Jones causing havoc.

Kit Skailes (1-21-6) removed Simon Le Good for a duck with an unplayable delivery which broke one of the bails.

Aled Jones also weighed in with 3-37-8 as Dinas slumped to 61-7.

Dylan Davies (31) and Will Palmer (18) gave Dinas a fighting chance before the introduction of leg-spinner Clarke extinguished their hopes in brutal fashion.

He removed both players during a lively 3.4-over spell, and then wrapped up Monmouth’s win with the final Dinas wicket dismissing the hosts for 108.

Wicketkeeper Dobbie and Clarke both held catches while youngster Ieuan Jones and Neil Saunders were lively in the field, as the win left the visitors seventh

But Monmouth 3rds went down by 10 wickets against Penarth 5ths at Chippenham Fields in SEW 15.

Barry Jones (35), Nick Holt (25), skipper Theo Minnie (21) and the returning Simon Kidd (13) helped the hosts to 110 all out in 21.2 overs.

But despite accurate bowling from Jacob Deighton, Daniel Bernard and Steve Vickers, Clive Morton (57 not out) and George Prickett (51 not out) guided Penarth to the target in the 19th over.

This Saturday, Monmouth 1sts visit sixth-placed Upper Rhondda, while the 2nds host fifth-placed Vale 3rds (12.30pm) and the 3rds play Crumlin 2nds away.