South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Sudbrook CC First XI (170 all out) lost to Chepstow CC First XI (173-3) by seven wickets

CHEPSTOW CC enjoyed a convincing seven wicket victory over their local rivals at Mill Lane.

Home skipper Micky Martin won the toss and decided his men would bat first and even took the field without a helmet.

“I don’t like wearing a helmet,” Martin said later. “I didn’t think Chepstow had anyone that quick. I was wrong,” he added.

The ‘anyone’ Martin was referring to, was Chepstow’s opening bowler David Monk who produced two spells of fine pace bowling.

On holiday from university in London where he is studying physics, Monk bowled nine overs, taking three wickets at a cost of 36 runs with one maiden.

His first four deliveries were ruled no-balls as they whistled over the skipper’s head but once he had adjusted his run-up, Monk settled into an accurate rhythm.

His bowling partner Paul Swingwood was equally as effective, taking the vital wickets of Martin, caught by Tyler Morgan-Huggett.

Monk made the next two breakthroughs, one delivery diverting off the top edge of Bradley Bates’ bat to present Ollie Thornhill at slip with an easy catch and then clean bowling Mark O’Leary with his next delivery.

There was to be no rare hat-trick however, as O’Leary’s departure brought Jamie Watkins to the crease and after Swingwood had Ross Lewis caught by Mitchell Harris, Jon Lewis entered the fray.

Watkins left after scoring 12, caught by Dave Teague off Harris, but Lewis carried on taking the fight to Chepstow despite losing two more partners for single-figure scores.

He finally became Monk’s third victim when wicketkeeper Mark Guest took a smart catch.

Lewis made 64 including one maximum and four boundaries in his innings.

Ben Supple (15) and Mitchell Slape (45) put up a spirited resistance until Supple gave Tudor Morgan-Huggett his first wicket – caught by brother Tyler – and Slape became Swingwood’s third victim, caught by Harris.

Although Swingwood (3-53 with one maiden) and Monk took three wickets each, Harris weighed in with a fine 2-17 and skipper Jason Dobbie produced a remarkable spell of 1-8 with four maidens in 10 overs.

In reply, Chepstow opener Guest became Jon Lewis’ sole victim – caught by Slape – early on but fellow opener Dave Teague, assisted by Harris, increased the pressure on the home bowlers, Teague making 47 before being caught by Ross Lewis off Mark O’Leary’s bowling.

At the other end, Harris carried on with an assured and confident innings, offering no chances and keeping his nerve when Tyler Morgan-Huggett went for nought.

Monk – who was on the receiving end of some hostile deliveries from Slape – came to the crease to play a supporting role as Harris continued to dominate the scoring.

However it was Monk’s contribution which effectively denied his teammate a deserved century as the target was reached in the 38th over with Harris unbeaten on 86 and Monk not out on 15.