EXCELLENT knocks from Ben Pilot, Andrew Dobbie and David Teague could not quite propel Monmouth 2nds to victory against unbeaten South-East Wales League Division 9 leaders Radyr 4ths.

In reply to the hosts’ 205-7 from 40 overs, Pilot with 52, Dobbie with 47 and Teague with 43 steered Monmouth to 196-5 as they missed out by just nine runs in an excellent contest. It promises to be a period of consolidation for Monmouth CC, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, for the remainder of the season after withdrawing their 1st XI from Division 2, due to a shortage of first-team standard players, earlier this month.

As a result of that decision, the league’s executive committee has now declared all of this season’s results featuring Monmouth’s teams as void, and reclassified their remaining league fixtures as friendlies.

Off-spinners Aled Jones (2-35 from eight overs) and Will Hickmott (2-36 from eight) were Monmouth’s most successful bowlers in Saturday’s clash in scorching conditions at Radyr.

Will Jones (57) and Howard Stone (27) led the way for an impressive Raydr side.

For Monmouth, David Teague (1-15) picked up a wicket and created a run-out with a direct hit; Duncan Delreeve (0-31 from eight) bowled accurately; Jake Teague took a fine catch in the deep and Ben McCluskey and Kit Skailes were both dynamic in the field.

After the break, an opening partnership of 56 between David Teague and his teenage son, Jake Teague, got Barry Jones’ side off to a fine start.

A 90-run stand for the third wicket between Pilot and Dobbie kept Monmouth on track and, despite a late flurry from Ian Morgan (16), the visitors fell just short.

The match was sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems and Monmouth 2nds make the trip to Penarth 4th this Saturday (12.30pm).

Meanwhile, an outstanding unbeaten half-century from newcomer Paul Brooks fired Monmouth 3rds to a seven-wicket success against Lisvane 5th in Division 12 at Pontcanna Fields in Cardiff.

Captain Neil Saunders was delighted with his team’s display, which saw Monmouth take the field with three father-and-son combinations: Tony and Sam Brennan; Gareth and Osian Jones; and Chris and Will Powles.

Man-of-the-match Brooks (3-20) also shone with the ball as Monmouth dismissed Lisvane for 112 in a match reduced to 30 overs a side due to the hot conditions.

Gary Israel (32 not out) top scored for Lisvane, but Brooks, Osian Jones (2-16), Gareth Jones (2-26) and Tony Brennan (1-13) struck form, while Tony Brennan also held a wonder catch, and wicketkeeper Dannie Stone dazzled with the gloves.

Opener Nick Holt (13) laid the foundations of Monmouth’s response before Brooks (50 not out) and Tom Willgoss (26 not out) sent the visitors storming to the target.

The match was sponsored by The King’s Head Hotel – JD Wetherspoon, and Monmouth 3rds host Whitchurch Heath 4ths at the Sports Ground this Saturday (12.30pm start).

Wales Over-70s international Rob Pendleton struck a classy 57 as Monmouth 4ths produced a spirited and uplifting display in a 56-run home defeat to Croesyceiliog 4ths at the Sports Ground.

Pendleton shared a team-record second-wicket stand of 102 with Alun Jeremiah (30 not out) as Monmouth posted a much-improved 117-2 from 30 overs, in reply to the visitors’ 173-2.

Tom Russell (1-33) and Emma Higgs (1-33) took the Croesyceiliog wickets to fall.

Promising Spanish swing bowler, Marta Fernandez (0-26), Jeremiah (0-16), Greg Thomas, Paul Dunsford and Pendleton all delivered tidy spells for Monmouth.

Captain Helen McGloin was sharp behind the stumps, while Fernandez, Sean McCluskey, Becky Townsend, Dunsford, Russell and Andrew Wilson were energetic in the field.

The match, sponsored by Latorre Consultancy, was played in wonderful spirit throughout and, with Croesyceiliog short of players, Monmouth’s Nick Robinson represented the opposition and bowled six overs for just nine runs.

This Saturday, Monmouth 4ths make the trip to face old friends Ponthir 3rds (12.30pm start).

Monmouth CC hold their weekly training sessions for all seniors on Thursdays at the Sports Ground from 6pm.

To get involved, contact club secretary Dave Walters by emailing [email protected]