MONMOUTH Cricket Club 1st XI made it two wins from two on Saturday with a six wicket victory away against Machen in Division Three of the South East Wales Cricket League. Monmouth won the toss on a glorious afternoon and asked their hosts to bat first. The decision proved to be a good one as Monmouth’s opening bowlers Rajesh Kuttappu (2-35) and Adam Roberts (2-40) caused the hosts numerous problems, as the score progressed to a precarious looking 47-4.

However a solid 50 run partnership between former Malpas all-rounder Mike Fussell (25) and former Wales youth wicket-keeper Simon Church (20) took the score to 100 at the drinks break.

A change in the Monmouth attack saw two of the sides most promising youngsters make the breakthrough as first Gwent under 14 seamer Ben Pilot (1-17) removed the dangerous Fussell, and then Wales under 14 Ben Davies (1-31) dismissed Church to see Machen back in trouble at 123-7.

Credit must go to the Machen tail however as they, aided by some less than ideal fielding, managed to post a competitive looking score of 199 all out in the 43rd over with Ben Clifford (30) and skipper Gareth Harris (22 not out) deserving the plaudits. In a mixed afternoon for Monmouth in the field, there were good catches taken by skipper Ben Turner, youngster Ben Pilot and Tom Jones.

In reply, Monmouth openers Tom Jones (1) and Henry Breeze (9) fell cheaply, leaving the innings precariously placed. However a magnificent 130 run partnership between Matt Jones (52) and man of the match Adam Roberts (103 not out) swung the game in Monmouth’s favour.

Roberts in particular was in brutal form. His 93-ball innings consisted of 13 fours and three sixes, some of which sailed out of the ground and onto the nearby bowls green.

When Jones fell with the score on 174, Tej Saran (14 not out) saw the game home in the 39th over and in doing so saw Monmouth pick up their second maximum 20 point haul of the season.

Next week Monmouth host Llantwit Fadre at the Sports Ground, with a 1pm start. Any players interested in playing cricket for Monmouth this summer should contact [email protected]