CAPTAIN Peter Keay believes that newly-promoted Monmouth CC can challenge for honours in South-East Wales Cricket League Division 6 this summer.

Keay’s Monmouth 1st XI open their 2026 campaign against fellow promoted outfit TAW at the Sports Ground this Saturday (May 2, 12.30pm).

Monmouth lost at home to the Cardiff-based club last May before storming to 14 wins from 18 games to capture the Division 7 crown by 13 points.

And their title-clinching run, which included 13 straight victories from 13 completed matches, saw a superb two-wicket away triumph at TAW thanks to contributions from Matt Jones (72), Adam Roberts (60), and Ben Lander (49 not out).

Keay said: “Our first-team squad will be similar to last season, and we’re hoping to be bolstered by the inclusion of some familiar faces from our recent past.

“It will be a much sterner challenge this summer but I’m confident we can get off to a positive start this weekend and I’m expecting us to be challenging for promotion.”

All-rounders Gareth Jones and Ben Pilot will be supporting Keay in vice-captaincy roles, as Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, aim to start with a flourish.

Keay – Monmouth’s fifth 1st team skipper to land a division title – believes his side can reach the heights of 2025.

“As a squad, we’ll continue to work together and support each other to reach the high performance and intensity levels achieved last season,” he said.

“If we can hit or even exceed these levels, I’m confident we’ll be competing at the top echelons of Division 6.

“Everyone shares this belief and the desire to succeed for this club.”

Monmouth 2nds also get their season under way on Saturday against old Gwent League rivals Newport Fugitives 3rds at Crosskeys in Division 12.

Wicketkeeper-batter Andrew Dobbie has replaced skipper Neil Saunders, who stood down after guiding the team to an impressive third-place finish, although the latter is still vice-captain.

And Monmouth 3rds, under South African Theo Minnie’s leadership, also make the trip to the Caerphilly borough this Saturday to play Abercarn 2nds in Division 15.

Ashley Burdett will skipper Monmouth’s women in this Sunday’s (May 3) opening round of matches in the South Wales Women’s League South-East Softball Division 3 (Tier 2), hosting Newbridge 2nds (11am) and Malpas (3pm) at the Sports Ground.

And on Wednesday (May 6), Ben Pilot will captain Monmouth in their curtain-raising Forest of Dean Hundred League fixture at home to Ruardean Hill (6pm) - a competition they made the final in last season.

Monmouth’s divisional titles at first-team level: 2025: South-East Wales League Division 7 (captain, Peter Keay). 2018: South-East Wales League Division 2 (captain, Adam Roberts). 2012: Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3 (captain, Paul Swingwood). 2005: Marches League Division 1 (captain, Dan Head). 2004: Marches League Division 1 (captain, Paul Swingwood). 2003: Marches League Division 1 (captain, Paul Swingwood). 1990: Gwent League, Premier Division (captain, Dave Wilding).

Although Monmouth were awarded the 2012 title, league officials declared the season null and void after a high percentage of matches were postponed during a rain-ravaged summer.

Anyone interested in joining Monmouth Cricket Club this season should contact club chairman Mike Maguire on [email protected] or for information on women's and girls' cricket, email [email protected]