South East Wales Cricket League Division Three (First XI) - Monmouth CC (151-9) beat Crumlin CC (105 all out) by 46 runs

THIRD-placed Monmouth Cricket Club closed the gap on the top two promotion places as they enjoyed a rain-hit 46-run victory over table-topping Crumlin CC on Saturday.

After rain delayed the start of play and reduced the contest to 40-overs-a-side, visiting captain Terry Nixon won the toss and elected to field.

Monmouth opening pair Matthew Jones (42) and Henry Breeze (23) made a promising start, before Breeze was bowled by Ieuan Veall (1-27) to leave Monmouth’s innings at 58-1.

This left Jones to try and form a partnership with Josh Grey at number three, but in a low scoring game Connor Hopkins (4-26) shone for the visitors, claiming the wicket of Jones, Grey (26), captain Adam Roberts (16) and Paul Swingwood (2) in quick succession to leave the home side’s innings in peril.

Coming in at number eight Ben Davies added 11 runs to the total before being dismissed by Simon Veall (3-16), leaving the home side on 151-9 from their 40 overs.

Crumlin’s other bowlers were David Evans (0-27), Kallum Williams (0-31) and Craig Lowther (1-17).

In reply Crumlin had a poor start, as Paul Swingwood (4-19) tore through the top order. As the rest of the Crumlin attack fell away around him, Connor Hopkins hit five fours on the way to 49 before he was bowled by James Taylor (1-0 from 0.3 overs) as the visitors slumped to 105 all out from 32.3 overs.

Monmouth’s other bowlers were Adam Roberts (0-16), Ben Davies (1-17), Sam Swingwood (1-30) and Alim Hansraj (2-25).

Next Saturday (12th August) Monmouth travel to Creigiau CC. Play starts at 1pm.