South East Wales Cricket League - Monmouth (354-3) beat Monkswood (154) by 126 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club got off to a perfect start in the newly founded South East Wales Cricket League Division Three on Saturday with a maximum 20 point victory over local rivals Monkswood at the Sportsground.

On a humid day, and with thunder storms threatening, the visitors won the toss and inserted Monmouth on what looked a fabulous early season wicket prepared by groundsman Gordon Grey.

Openers Josh Grey (142) and former King’s Taunton pupil Henry Breeze (36) got Monmouth off to a good start taking the score to 66 before Breeze fell in the ninth over to a sharp caught-and-bowled chance by Gareth Trumper (1-32).

This brought former Wales youth player Matt Jones (73) to the crease and, with a combination of some fantastic running between the wickets and clean ball striking, the pair put the Monkswood bowlers to the sword with a 183 run partnership before Jones fell in the 38th over. Grey was to fall just an over later, ran out for a magnificent 142 including 18 fours and one six.

Despite this, Monmouth’s innings did not lose any momentum, and some late fireworks were added by Adam Roberts (44 not out) and Tej Saran (30 not out) as the two big hitters added 65 runs in the final five overs to close the Monmouth innings on an imposing looking 354-3.

However, the game as a contest looked in serious doubt as a torrential downpour during the tea interval left the game heading towards an abandonment. Monmouth worked hard on the mop-op operation when the rain stopped, and thanks to the excellent coverage of the wicket and the club’s Bowdry machine play was able to re-start just before the 6pm deadline, with Monkswood now facing a reduced target of 280 in 30 overs.

The visitors certainly weren’t intimated by the task facing them, and raced away to a splendid start, reaching 86-1 after 13 overs, with opening batsman M. Malson (48) taking to the Monmouth attack. However, when Malson was caught by Saran off the bowling off Wales under 14 spinner Ben Davies (1-29) the Monkswood hopes faded and the visitors found themselves playing for their batting bonus points as they were bowled all out for 154 in the 28th over.

With the ball Monmouth were indebted to Josh Grey (2-20) and Tej Saran (4-12) for ensuring they wrapped up an excellent victory in the humid conditions. Next Saturday, Monmouth are in action away at Machen and will look to build on their excellent start, with a 1pm start.