NEWCOMER Peter Keay blasted a maiden half-century in Monmouth Cricket Club 2nds team’s 60-run home victory against Miskin Manor 4ths at the Sports Ground.

The Scottish all-rounder struck 10 fours and a six in his hard-hitting 53 retired as Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, rounded off the season with a triumph.

Ian Morgan top-scored with 60 not out and then held two catches as Spanish swing bowler Marta Fernandez, in her debut season of hard-ball cricket, recorded personal-best figures of 2-15.

Morgan and Keay were well supported by skipper Barry Jones’ blistering 33 not out, Andrew Hurd (29) and Andrew’s teenage son, Joshua Hurd (19), as Monmouth posted 241-7 from 40 overs in Saturday’s hugely enjoyable friendly.

After the interval, Shelli Docherty (74 not out) carried his bat in a fine innings for Miskin, while young opener Seb Thorndike hit a stylish 35 and captain Paul Elks made 25 as the visitors replied with 181 all out in the 35 over.

Fernandez and Keay both snapped up a brace of wickets, while Lauren Maguire, Joshua Hurd, and Chris Powles also picked up a wicket and sharp fielding from Maguire led to a run-out.

Andrew Hurd held a catch and there were fine pieces of fielding from Becky Townsend, Jake Teague and Greg Thomas.

The match was sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems and Jones was delighted to round off the season on a high note.

Meanwhile, Monmouth Thirds fought hard before slipping to a narrow eight-run defeat in an exciting contest against Vale Thirds in Corntown.

Accurate bowling, spearheaded by spinner Aled Jones (2-15 from eight overs), restricted the home side to 145-8 from 40 overs.

Skipper Neil Saunders (1-11), Tony Brennan (1-13 from five overs), Osian Jones (1-15), Nick Robinson (1-21) and Sam Brennan (1-30 from seven) also picked up wickets for Monmouth.

Wicketkeeper Dannie Stone, Nick Holt and Sam Brennan all took catches, while Gareth Jones (0-8 from five) and Duncan Delreeve also bowled accurately.

In reply, opener Gareth Jones (34), Delreeve (27) and Simon Kidd (18) blunted the home attack.

Aled Jones (31) gave Monmouth hope in their final match before they were agonisingly dismissed for 137 in 36.5 overs. The match was sponsored by Monmouth Dental Practice.

Wales Over-70s all-rounder Rob Pendleton top-scored with 34 and took a wicket in Monmouth Fourths A-team’s 136-run home defeat against a strong Glangrwyney Seconds at Chippenham fields.

Pendleton (1-46) and teenager Tom Russell (0-34 from eight overs) delivered fine spells as Glangrwyney, through H Price (69 retired), L Morgan (51) and T Devoy (51 retired), piled up 259-1 from 40 overs.

Andrew Dobbie, Nadia Mackey, captain Helen McGloin, Jonathan Russell, Mai Harris and Penny Boyle all bowled well for Monmouth in their final match, while debutant Rob Boyle and Andrew Wilson were energetic in the field.

Despite the battling efforts of Pendleton, Dobbie (19), Jonathan Russell (13) and opener Mackey (10), Glangrwyney’s M Uppara bagged 6-18 to shoot out Monmouth for 123. The match was sponsored by The King’s Head Hotel – JD Wetherspoon.

A maiden half-century from Will Hickmott and three wickets from William Wilton were the highlights in Monmouth Fourths B-team’s three-wicket defeat at Blackwood Thirds.

Hickmott, who hit 10 boundaries, top-scored with an excellent 51 and shared a 45-run fourth-wicket stand with Eddie Atkinson (19) as Ben McCluskey’s Monmouth side reached 157-9 from 40 overs at Islwyn Park.

Kit Skailes (22 not out) and Bea Jones (12) also made important contributions for Monmouth against a good home attack.

While Wilton (3-36 from eight overs) caused problems for Blackwood, Jill Jones (1-5), Bea Jones (1-15), and Hickmott (1-32) also chipped in, and Skailes’ six overs cost just 14 runs.

Hickmott (2) and Skailes took catches, while D Lacy (70) steered Blackwood to the target in the 31st over, despite superb efforts in the field from Sean McCluskey, Dave Walters, Joe Atkinson and Megan Maguire. The match was sponsored by Gwalia Consulting Ltd.

To get involved at Monmouth Cricket Club, please contact Dave Walters by emailing [email protected]

Fourths. Pictured, back (from left): Andrew Hurd, Chris Powles, Greg Thomas, Ian Morgan, Peter Keay. Front (from left): Jake Teague, Becky Townsend, Barry Jones (captain), Marta Fernandez, Joshua Hurd.