South East Wales Cricket League Division Three - Monmouth CC First XI (241-8) beat Barry Wanderers CC First XI (196) by 45 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club returned to the top of the Division Three table on Saturday after a hard fought victory over league newcomers Barry Wanderers.

On a blustery day and with rain forecast, Monmouth won the toss and elected to bat first on a good looking wicket at the Sports Ground. Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, found the early going tough thanks to a combination of three interruptions for rain during the first innings, and also some excellent line and length bowling from the visitors.

With runs hard to come by, Monmouth arrived at the 25-over mark with 109-4 thanks to contributions from stand in skipper Josh Grey (35), and Matt Jones (12) but well aware that the run rate needed increasing. However, a 97-run partnership in good time between man of the match Adam Roberts (63) and the hard hitting Tej Saran (56) took Monmouth to a more respectable looking 201-5 at the 40 over mark before Roberts and Saran fell in quick succession.

Some late order hard hitting from Alim Hansraj (23 not out off 15 balls) allowed Monmouth get to what was considered a par score of 241-8 off their allotted 45 overs. For the visitors there were some useful bowling figures, with James Scullion the pick, taking 1-26 off nine economical overs.

The Wanderers’ reply got off to a shaky start as the visitors were reduced to 25-2 including the important wicket of dangerman Rob Cooper (11) who was bowled by Tej Saran (1-19). Monmouth continued to chip away at the visitors batting line up, but the game very much remained in the balance at the drinks break with the score at 102-4. However, the removal by Gwent under 15 seamer Ben Pilot (1-19) of the well-set Vimal Dundigalla (56) saw Wanderers slide to 131-6.

A string of lower order partnerships frustrated Monmouth, with runs for Jonny Hill (30), Scullion (20) and opposing captain James Hassett (25 not out) threatening to take the game away from Monmouth. Despite this Monmouth held their nerve in no small part due to the excellent death bowling by Raj Kuttappu (2-29) and Adam Roberts (3-53) so ultimately the run chase fell 45 runs short to give Monmouth a much needed 20-point haul.

Mention should also go to Wales under 14 spinner Ben Davies (1-29) and Alim Hansraj (0-33) who bowled their usual economical spells to keep Wanderers behind the required rate. Monmouth also fielded well with catches taken by Tej Saran, Josh Grey and Alim Hansraj with two run outs instigated by Adam Roberts and Raj Kuttappu.

The result sees Monmouth move to the top of the division by just a single point from Whitchurch Heath, and face a huge game against third-placed Creigiau at the Sports Ground next Saturday, with a 1pm start. Anyone wishing to join Monmouth should contact [email protected]