GARETH Jones fired 70 for Monmouth CC at Undy after Eddie Atkinson had taken four wickets, including a caught and bowled.

But the hosts went on to win the 30-over friendly by 40 runs after setting a target of 216-7.

The visitors made early inroads sending the first three batsmen packing for just four scoring runs, but the middle order compiled a formidable target, with Monmouth skipper Peter Keay also taking two wickets and Will Hickmott one.

In reply, Jones hit four sixes and three fours in his headline knock before holing out, but only Hickmott (13) and Keay (10) were able to lend support as the visitors finished on 176-7.

Elsewhere, Harawal Ahmed Wassam blasted 75 off 59 balls for Usk, including nine fours and two sixes, backed by Hugo Caldicott with 54, as they posted a 40-over 216-7 at home to Bridgend Town.

And they then bowled the visitors out for 135 in the 37th over, Ollie Rayner with three wickets and Sam Crisp, Ryan Price and Tal Parry with braces.

On Sunday they also beat visitors Chipping Sodbury by four wickets with nine balls to spare, chasing down 153 all out after wickets for Ben Jones (3), Tamoor Zafar (2) and Matthew Williams (2).

Zafar then struck an unbeaten 58, backed by Wassam with 39. as Usk reached 157-6.

A friendly XI also endured a tough afternoon over the border at Aston Ingham on Saturday, losing by 151 runs.

Aston scored 266 all out in 45 overs, Julian Smith with three wickets and Dougie Spencer and Oliver Hall with braces.

But Usk were dismissed for 115 in 27.4 overs, Jamie Rayner top scoring with 23.

Chepstow’s 1st XI blitzed visitors Newbridge, bowling them out for 51 in 27 overs, Josh Tregaskes (3), Lewis Jones (2) and Ben Hope-Bell (2) among the wickets.

And it took just 7.1 overs to reach 53-0, Scott Bailey with 23 and Chris Archer 21.

League fixtures start this Saturday (May 3) and include – Usk 1sts v Abergavenny 1sts, Abercarn 1sts v Monmouth 1sts, Chepstow 1sts v Sudbrook 1sts, Creigau 1sts v Usk 2nds, Gloucester 3rds v Penallt & Redbrook 1sts, Abergavenny 2nds v Llanarth 1sts, Goodrich 1sts v Corse & Staunton 2nds, Monmouth 2nds v Abergavenny 4ths, Crumlin 1sts v Chepstow 2nds, Llanarth 2nds v Llantwit Fardre 2nds, Lydney 3rds v Goodrich 2nds, Ebbw Vale 2nds v Usk 3rds, Monmouth 3rds v Glangrwyney 2nds, Abercynon 2nds v Chepstow 3rds.