South East Wales Cricket League Division Three (Second XI) - Monmouth (143-6) beat Barry Wanderers (140-9) by four wickets

MONMOUTH Cricket Club’s Second XI made amends for earlier in the season with a four-wicket win at home to Barry Wanderers on Sunday, thanks in part to the heroics of teenager Sam Swingwood.

After the seconds fell to a comprehensive 145-run defeat in the reverse fixture at the start of July, Monmouth selected a strong side including first team regulars Alim Hansraj, Swingwood and Rajesh Kuttappu.

Home skipper Rick Parkes lost the toss and Barry captain Paul Sawyer decided to bat.

The home side produced a strong performance in the field, with openers George Williamson (15-1) and Kuttuppa (3-24) giving little away as the Barry top order struggled to get going.

Opener Christopher Barnes top scored for the visitors with 27 before being run out, and Barry’s cause wasn’t helped as captain Sawyer retired out on 21.

For Monmouth there were spells for Swingwood (33-0), Hanraj (23-1), Tom Calcutt (15-1 from 4 overs) and a maiden wicket for Ollie Berry (26-1).

The game was stopped after the 27th over due to a heavy rain downpour, but resumed after an hour and tea. Kuttuppa returned to take two further wickets, there was a sharp run-out and a catch for Berry and a caught behind for keeper Pete Simmons from the bowling of Williamson, as the visitors finished on an achievable-looking 140-9 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Monmouth’s batsmen made a steady start, thanks to openers Tom Jones (18) and Ian Ridyard (9). However, when just six runs came from seven overs, with the score at 26-0 from 12, the scoreboard pressure began to mount as just two runs were scored between the 13th and 17th overs.

A quick-fire 17 from Tom Calcutt sped things up for Monmouth, but the runs dried up again, wickets fell and a home disappointment was on the cards with the score at 74-5 after the 28th over.

However 14-year old Sam Swingwood and veteran batsman Rob Pendleton stuck to their task, and when 19 runs came off the 37th over, thanks in part to two sixes from Swingwood, the game swung decisively in Monmouth’s favour. Swingwood’s match-winning innings came to an end on 47, attempting to hit the winning runs with a boundary, just falling short of being the first second XI batsman to hit a 50 this season. It then fell to Pendeleton (26 not out) to finish the game with nine balls and four wickets to spare with a stylish boundary and give Monmouth’s season a boost with a much-needed 19 points.

Next Saturday Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, are home again and host Pontyminster. Play starts at 1pm.