MONMOUTH Cricket Club 1sts are involved in a super tight four-way tussle for South East Wales 6’s second promotion slot after a 73-run Saturday defeat at Upper Rhondda.

With three matches remaining, and TAW set to top the division, just one point separates second-placed Vale 2nds (204 points) and Bay Dragons in fifth., with Panteg 2nds third and Peter Keay’s side fourth.

Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, host Penarth 3rds in a vital clash at the Sports Ground this Saturday (12.30pm).

The Upper Rhondda game started promisingly before Monmouth’s batting crumbled on a challenging track, in-form Eddie Atkinson (4-47 from eight overs), Ben Davies (2-17-5), Ben Pilot (2-22-4.5) and Keay (2-32-6) skittling out the hosts for 144 in 26.5 overs.

Ex-Ton Pentre star Callum Hopkins (37), Callum Davies (24) and Mark Thomas (21) led the way for Upper Rhondda, while Davies, Pilot and wicketkeeper Will Wilton all held two catches, and Osian Jones and Atkinson one apiece.

But former Vale ace Jarrad Davies (6-26-8) supported by Callum Davies (3-7-4.1) then ripped apart Monmouth’s batting, with only openers Osian Jones (15) and Davies (12) reaching double figures in a lowly 71 all out in 17.1 overs.

Meanwhile, opener Jake Teague hit a majestic 92 in Monmouth 2nds narrow 24-run defeat to Vale 3rds in a high-scoring SEW 12 Sports Ground clash.

In reply to Vale’s imposing 264-7 from 40 overs, Teague cracked 14 boundaries from 89 balls to reach his highest-ever score, but fell agonisingly short of a maiden century.

Kit Skailes (27), Bea Jones (24), Joe Walton (24), Monty Clarke (16) and Ian Morgan (15) all made contributions as Monmouth battled hard, finishing on 240-8.

Andy Ellis (2-17), Amanullah Akhondzada (2-29) and Mark Twaits (2-30) bowled well as Vale secured the win, despite lusty sixes clearing the pavilion in the closing stages from Skailes and Clarke.

Earlier, a rapid 58 from experienced Vale opener Gareth Kellard put the visitors in control before Monmouth hit back strongly to reduce the visitors to 185-6.

But a late furry from Twaits (29), Paul Gilbert (28 not out), Ellis (21) and Amanullah Akhondzada (19 not out) turned the contest back in Vale’s favour.

Spinner Aled Jones (3-45-7) was Monmouth’s most successful bowler, supported by Walton (1-36-8), Sam Brennan (1-39-8), Skailes (1-42-8) and Bea Jones (1-25).

Skipper Andrew Dobbie took two sharp catches and Aled Jones one, and there were encouraging bowling stints from Amosa Nove and Tom Russell.

But the loss leaves Dobbie’s side fighting to retain their status, slipping to third from bottom.

Monmouth 2nds travel to neighbouring basement side Llanarth 2nds in a crucial derby this Saturday (12.30pm).

Elsewhere, opener Richard Cotton struck 81 and skipper Theo Minnie blazed an unbeaten 43 from 19 balls in Monmouth 3rds’ 39-run SEW 15 loss away to Crumlin 2nds.

Craig Morgan snapped up 3-46 and was backed up by Daniel Bernard (2-46-8) as Crumlin posted 251-7 from 40 overs.

Michael Johnson (51) was quick out of the blocks for Crumlin before Harry Price’s 73 from 46 balls and Jack Griffiths’ 41 not out turned up the heat.

Simon Kidd (1-20) and Cotton (1-51-8) chipped in with a wicket apiece for Monmouth, while Steve Vickers (0-27-6) and Minnie (0-37-8) delivered economical spells and catches were taken by Minnie, Kidd and Morgan.

Opener Cotton, who collected 10 boundaries in his stylish 93-ball knock, was the bedrock of Monmouth’s spirited reply.

Morgan (21) and Riley Doran’s boundary-laden 19 offered valuable support before Minnie’s late cameo, containing seven fours and a six, lifted Monmouth to a respectable 212-7.

Monmouth 3rds host Malpas 4ths at Chippenham Fields this Saturday (12.30pm).