A SOLID all-round performance secured a four-wicket win for Monmouth CC 1st XI in their opening league match at Abercarn on Saturday.

Gareth Jones took 4-21 off 3.5 overs, including the last two wickets, as the visitors were 188 all out.

Skipper Peter Keay also snared two wickets putting the brakes on Abercarn's top order, while Osian Jones, Aled Jones, Ben Pilot and Ben Lander took one apiece.

Opening the reply, Gareth Jones scored 30 off just 25 balls, including five fours, before holing out, while Matthew Jones added a quickfire 29 off 22 balls, including six fours.

With Ben Lander also hitting six fours at No 3 in his 32, the visitors outstripped the asking rate, and an unbeaten 34 from Jake Teague and a whirlwind 35 not out from Keay off 20 balls, including a six and five fours, saw them to 189-6 with 9.3 overs to spare.

The 2nds also won by 98 runs at home to Abergavenny 4ths, Harry Williams (66 not out) and Benjamin McCluskey (35) forming a 137-run fourth-wicket partnership in their 241-4 off 40 overs, backed by opener Andrew Dobbie with 38.

Keiran Shaw then took 3-16 and Louis James and Jack Mallen wicket braces as Aber were skittled for 143.

But the 3rds lost by 102 runs at home to Glangrwyney 2nds, 112 all out after being set 223.