South East Wales Cricket League Division Two - Monmouth (220-5) beat Blackwood (103 all out) by 117 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club First XI returned to the summit of Division Two with an emphatic 117-run home victory against title chasing rivals Blackwood on Saturday.

With the visitors having lost just twice all season (once to Monmouth earlier on in the season) the stage was set for a hard fought contest on yet another baking hot day. Having won the toss, skipper Adam Roberts had no hesitation in choosing to bat on another excellent looking wicket at the Sports Ground. However, Blackwood possess arguably the strongest seam attack in the league and were all over Monmouth in the early stages, finding plenty of pace and movement out of the pitch and restricting their hosts to a perilous looking 4-2 after five overs with both in form openers Matt Jones and Dave Teague back in the pavilion, the latter due to an outstanding diving catch from Gareth Berry off the bowling of Neil Reardon (1-28 from 10 overs).

With Monmouth on the back foot, young Wales under-15 batsman Harry Friend (32) and skipper Adam Roberts (82) dug in superbly against a very lively attack and took Monmouth to a much more respectable 96 before Friend was given out LBW off the bowling of medium pacer Kieron Rowe (1-33 off six overs). Roberts however continued to anchor the innings, and his magnificent 82 came off 123 balls consisting of 11 fours and one six as he accelerated the second half of the innings before being caught at cover off the bowling of opposition skipper Richard Matthews (2-44 off 10).

When a decent cameo from Josh Grey (30) came to an end Monmouth were still some way below a par score at 172-5 with some seven overs remaining. However, it was left to the youngsters, two under-15s in fact, in the way of Wales under-15 wicket-keeper Joe Harris (20 not out) and Gloucestershire under-15 Sam Swingwood (24 not out) to put on an invaluable 48 runs at the end and swing the momentum Monmouth’s way. The two youngsters’ innings were highlighted by some fantastic running between the wickets as well as some impressive lusty blows as Monmouth closed on a decent, but by no means insurmountable, total of 220-5 from their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, Monmouth, sponsored by Burkert Fluid Control Systems, knew that they needed to bowl in the right areas and seamer Paul Swingwood was right on the money from the get go, removing opener Rhod Evans first ball and then Andi Price just a couple of overs later to leave the score at 15-2. From the other end Adam Roberts was generating some decent pace as well as he removed first the hard hitting Jarrod Withers (9) and then the dangerous Gareth Berry for a well-made 24 to leave Blackwood in deep trouble at 38-4 after 12 overs.

Monmouth then turned to their spinners and despite veterans Dave Windross (21) and Neil Reardon (24) digging in for a period, Blackwood slumped from 86-6 to 103 all out in just 35.3 overs. This was in no small part due to the accuracy and control of Alim Hansraj (1-21 off 8) and also young leg-spinner Sam Swingwood (3-23 off 10) whose googly proved the downfall of several of the Blackwood batsman. After Sam Swingwood’s mesmerising spell, it was left to the experienced off spinner Dave Teague (2-6) to clean up the tail and hand Monmouth a well-deserved 19 points.

In the field Monmouth held all their chances and there were catches for Matt Jones (2), Adam Roberts and a remarkable slip catch for Paul Swingwood plus a very sharp stumping for Joe Harris. The result sees Monmouth go ahead of Blackwood by four points in what is shaping up to be a very exciting season. Next Saturday Monmouth are at home again this time against Ponthir, 12.30pm start and all spectators are most welcome. Anyone interested in playing cricket this summer should contact Dave Walters at [email protected]