South East Wales League Division Two - Whitchurch Heath (190-8)
A SUPERB unbeaten 81 from Matthew Jones led newly-promoted Monmouth Cricket Club to an emphatic eight-wicket win at Whitchurch Heath in South East Wales League Division Two.
Jones was brilliantly supported by skipper Adam Roberts (46 not out) as Monmouth overhauled the Cardiff club’s 190-8 with more than five overs remaining in scorching conditions last Saturday.
The livewire pair produced a magnificent 122-run unbroken third-wicket stand to sweep Monmouth to victory in just 44.1 overs.
It was the perfect start to the new campaign for Monmouth, who are playing in the competition’s second tier for the first time since re-joining the Cricket Wales pyramid in 2012.
Monmouth have been boosted this summer by the return of the club’s leading run-scorer, David Teague, and wicket-taker, Jonathan Roberts, in the modern era.
All-rounder Teague and opening bowler Roberts have re-joined Monmouth after a successful four-year stint at Chepstow, where they lifted the Division One title.
After winning the toss, Monmouth captain Adam Roberts had no hesitation in inserting the hosts on a firm and drying pitch, next to the former psychiatric hospital in Whitchurch, in the 50 overs-a-side contest.
Tidy opening spells from Adam Roberts (1-21 from 10 overs) and Jonathan Roberts (1-27 from 10) helped Monmouth to pick up early wickets and restrict the run-rate.
Paul Swingwood (1-32 from 10) bowled accurately and without luck, while Teague (1-36 from 9), Aled Jones (2-29) and James Taylor (1-26) also chipped in for Monmouth.
Alex Webb (44) batted very well for Whitchurch and was backed up by David Tibbs (20), Matthew Morris (19) and Michael Richards (16) after Kim Swain (20) and Alun W-Jones (15) had laid the foundations.
A fine piece of fielding from Josh Grey led to a run-out, while wicketkeeper Jon Despontin held a catch and made a stumping. Swingwood and Jonathan Roberts also took sharp catches, while Tej Saran impressed in the field.
In pursuit of Whitchurch’s challenging total, Monmouth’s opening batsmen, Teague (31) and Ian Morgan (16), gave the visitors a decent platform with a first-wicket stand of 36.
And Monmouth took a firm grip on the match when Adam Roberts joined Jones after Teague was caught with the total at 69.
The duo set about Whitchurch’s bowling attack with relish, playing sensibly before cutting loose, and propelled Monmouth to victory.
Man-of-the-match Jones cracked nine boundaries in his classy 99-ball innings and Roberts blasted seven boundaries in his excellent 62-ball knock.
Whitchurch’s most successful bowler was John Chapman, who bagged 2-34 from 10 overs.
Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, will be aiming to continue their promising start when they host Radyr at Monmouth Sports Ground this Saturday (12.30pm start).