MONMOUTH CC began the week strengthening their grip on top spot in the Forest Ladder with a nine-wicket home win over Parkend.

Despite losing a wicket first ball, the hosts eased to 115-1 in just 51 balls chasing down the Forester’s 111-5, Ben Pilot scoring 58 and Tej Saran 38.

But Friday's Macey Cup T20 quarter-final away to Ponthir 2nds saw Monmouth beaten by 31 runs.

Ponthir were limited to 110-7 off 20 overs after being inserted by Monmouth, with Eddie Atkinson, Pilot and Adam Roberts taking two wickets apiece and William Wilton one.

But while it looked an achievable target, it didn't work out that way, with top scores of just 11 and two 10s.

The visitors reached 34-1 with only the loss of Peter Keay for nine and looked to have made a good start.

But the loss of talisman batsman Pilot for eight, soon followed by Roberts for 11 and Matthew Williams for two (38-4) put a different complexion on things.

Harry Williams followed for two (46-5), Jake Teague for 10 (54-6) and Ben McCluskey for seven (66-7).

And although still in with a shout with nearly eight overs left and 45 needed, the final three wickets fell for just 13 more runs (79 all out) with 3.3 overs left.

It didn't help that just 15 hours later next day they had to travel nearly 50 miles to the seaside to face Penarth 3rds on a hot sunny day in South East Wales 6.

Monmouth again failed to make 100, all out for 98 in 27.2 overs, with only Matthew Jones (38), Pilot (12) and Ben Davies (10) posting double figures.

And Penarth's openers then raced to 99 without loss in just 18.3 overs to secure a 10-wicket win.

Monmouth 2nds were in victory mode though at home to derby rivals Llanarth 2nds in SEW 12.

The Trees reached 149-5 off their 40 overs, Anthony Norris firing 52, Archie Greenslade 36 and Dave Myatt 20, as Tom Russell took two wickets and Dave Teague, Rich Cotton and Monty Clarke one apiece.

Opener Teague fired 36 and shared a 50-run second-wicket partnership with skipper Andrew Dobbie before holing out (86-2).

And a 51-run fourth wicket stand between the latter and Tom Willgoss, who scored 30 before being bowled, took them to within sight of victory (145-4), Dobbie carrying his bat with 47 as they reached 150-4 in the 35th over.

Greenslade took two wickets for Llanarth and Andrew Hilditch and Mark Batt one each.

Monmouth 3rds also won a thriller by six runs away to Malpas 4ths after scoring 128 all out in 31 overs, and then dismissing the hosts for 122 in 32.5 overs.

Paul Mallen scored 39, including a six and four fours, and Andrew Smith 15 before Monmouth's attack took the first six Malpas wickets for just eight scoring runs.

Host skipper Gethin Palmer coming in at seven fired an unbeaten 51 to drag them back into contention, but the last two batters were dismissed for three and a duck, Charlie Mallen taking five for 22, Jacob Deighton and Theo Minnie braces and Barry Jones one.

Monmouth play their 2025 Forest Hundred play-off final conquerors Cinderford away in the same competition on Wednesday night (June 17) before hosting Bay Dragons in SEW 6 on Saturday, while the 2nds play Monkswood & Panteg 3rds away.