South East Wales Cricket League Division Three - Dinas Powys First XI 187-10 (36.4 overs) lost to Monmouth First XI (302-6) by 115 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club 1st XI returned to winning ways after two league defeats in a row on Saturday, with an emphatic 115-run victory at Parc Bryn-y-Don against Dinas Powys.

On an overcast day, Monmouth won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to put last weeks below-par batting performance behind them. Despite the early loss of vice captain Josh Grey (5), runs came fluently for skipper Ben Turner (62) and the in form Adam Roberts (136) as the two took the score to 114-2 before Turner’s innings was cut short.

Contributions then came in the middle order from wicket-keeper Dave Croudace (30) and Tom Vickers (38) in his first game of the season, but it was Roberts that proved the mainstay of the Monmouth innings. His brutal 136 was his third century in four league matches, and consisted of an incredible 16 fours and six sixes as he took a liking to the Dinas bowling attack with some aggressive stroke play. For the hosts it was a long 45 overs in the field, despite the efforts of Saajan Ali (3-84) as Monmouth closed on an imposing looking 302-6 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Monmouth looked sharp with the ball as despite contributions from Syed Rizvi (30) and Joseph Beames (46) Dinas were never really in the hunt as they were bowled all out for 187 in the 37th over. It was a much improved performance in the field as well for Monmouth, with catches held by Josh Grey (3), Ben Turner (2), Henry Damon, Alim Hansraj and Dave Croudace. With the ball there were wickets for spinner Alim Hansraj (2-29 off 9), Ben Turner (2-44 off 9), man of the match Adam Roberts (2-35 off 4) and seam bowler Raj Kuttappu (4-24 off 8.4) as Monmouth achieved a much needed 20 point win.

The result, coupled with defeat for table toppers Creigiau away at Crumlin, means that there are now only seven points separating the top three sides. Monmouth, sitting in third, face another away trip on Saturday to Corntown based Vale CC with a 1pm start. Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth should contact [email protected]