South East Wales Cricket League Division Three - Creigiau (131-8) lost to Monmouth (132-2) by seven wickets

MONMOUTH Cricket Club kept their promotion dreams alive on Saturday with a vital seven wicket away win at relegation-threatened Creigiau.

On a bright afternoon, captain Adam Roberts won a crucial toss and inserted the hosts on a soft looking pitch and outfield following heavy rain the previous day.

It was a similar story to last week’s win over Crumlin with the ball as openers Paul Swingwood (1-23 off 6) and Adam Roberts kept the runs in check on a slow and low surface.

As has often been the case this season though it was the introduction of Monmouth’s spinners that really did the damage as they kept tight control of the run rate with Creigiau struggling along to 52-2 at the 22 over drinks break.

This was due to the excellent spells of Wales under 15 spinner Ben Davies (1-23 off 9) and the luckless Gloucestershire under 14 leg-spinner Sam Swingwood (0-15 off 9) who both beat the bat frequently with little reward deserving much better.

However, following these the experienced duo of Alim Hansraj (3-23 off 8) and Aled Jones (3-23 off 6) did the damage as Creigiau were forced to up the run rate, with Jones removing the key wicket of dangerman and opposing captain Ben Taylor for a well-made 54 off 103 balls.

From then on there were contributions from Dan Clayton (13) and youngster Steffan Rowlands (13) but the Creigiau innings never really kicked on due to Monmouth’s control with the ball, and they closed on a below-par looking 131-8 off their allotted 45 overs.

In the field for Monmouth there was a catch taken by Adam Roberts, but the stand out performer was young Gwent under 14 wicket-keeper Joe Harris who took three sharp stumpings.

In reply Monmouth, sponsored by Burkert Fluid Solutions, also found scoring runs tough on a slow and low surface and following the removal of opener Henry Breeze (13) and then soon after skipper Adam Roberts (3) showed parity in their innings when they were just 53-2 at the 22 over drinks break.

However, a match winning 84-run partnership between Paul Swingwood (33 not out off 80 balls) and man of the match Matt Jones (71 off 105 balls) showed great patience and nerve to see Monmouth home in the 40th over for a crucial 19 points. Despite the victory, Monmouth have slipped a point further adrift (12 points behind) of second placed Sully Centurions after their comfortable victory on the weekend, but next Saturday sees the top sides play each at Crumlin in a game that will have huge repercussions in deciding the top two promotion spots.

Monmouth meanwhile face another relegation threatened side in Machen at the MCG in yet another must win game for them. 1pm start and all spectators and supporters are most welcome.