MONMOUTH CC 1st XI were left frustrated on Saturday as their Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3 match was abandoned at 5.30pm with a torrential downpour and thunder and lightening denying the hosts a probable win against last years Welsh Cricket Conference champions Pentwyn.

After winning the toss and batting first at the Sports Ground, Monmouth’s openers Adam Roberts (35) and Josh Grey (135) showed just how good a surface it was, despite the previous days wet weather, by racing along to 74-0 off the first 10 overs.

Grey was in particularly savage form, with his magnificent 135 coming off just 108 balls and consisting of 27 fours and 1 six. His innings was well backed up by Dave Croudace (63) as a lightening quick outfield and some aggressive stroke play saw the score race along to an ominous looking 262-3 after 34 overs.

From then on the positive mantle was taken up by former Wales youngster Matt Jones (55*) and 18 year old Henry Breeze (64*) as a weary looking Pentwyn had no answers in the field with Monmouth closing on what is believed to be a club record score of 383-3 off their allotted 45 overs.

For the visitors only skipper M. White had any real success with the ball, taking 2-71 off 9 overs in what was a fairly grim looking bowling card. After the tea interval and with rain forecast, Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, knew that quick wickets would be needed to stand any chance of a maximum point haul.

However, Pentwyn had other ideas as they cruised to 66-0 off 15 overs. From then on former Abergavenny and Glamorgan 2nds batsman Mike Beacham (110) and G. White (55) frustrated Monmouth, whilst punishing the all too frequent bad deliveries in an opening stand of 171 in just 29 overs.

Beacham in particular was in fabulous touch with his innings consisting of 19 fours and 1 six coming off just 109 deliveries. However, once Beacham was removed by an excellent catch in the deep by Henry Breeze off the bowling of captain Ben Turner (1-18), it seemed any hopes of an unlikely victory were dashed for the visitors. With the ball there were wickets for Turner, man of the match Josh Grey (1-12) and Ben Davies (1-44) but thunder and lightning followed by a torrential downpour meant no more play would be possible, and the game was frustratingly abandoned with the visitors on 202-3 after 33.3 overs.

Fortunately for Monmouth similar fates occurred to fellow title challengers Cardiff Gymkhana and Ebbw Vale, and as a result nothing has changed in the top 3 spots, with Monmouth remaining top by the narrowest of margins. This sets up a blockbuster fixture next weekend in a winner takes all match as the 1sts travel away to Ebbw Vale.

Meanwhile Monmouth 2nds match away at Pentwyn fell victim to the wet valleys weather, and they conclude their season with the final match at the Sports Ground next Saturday as they host Ebbw Vale, 12.30pm start.