Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean Cricket League Division Two (West) - Ruardean Hill (337-2) beat Monmouth (116 all out) by 221 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club’s Third XI patiently continue to wait for their first away win as they lost away to league leaders Ruardean Hill’s Second XI by 221 runs in the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean cricket league.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Monmouth’s captain Neil Saunders (52-0) opened the bowling with third team regular Tony Brennan (55-0). Hill’s vastly experienced and skillful opening batsmen, Tony Williamson and Paul Weaving, built a partnership of 123 until 16-year-old Monmouth Schoolboy Rory Sheppard (57-2) removed Williamson for 59 after an awkward first rate catch was taken on the run in the deep by Craig Cook.

The removal of Williamson only increased the concentration and willpower of Ruardean Hill as both Weaving (172) and Kerry Powell (56) unrelentingly attacked and attacked, but despite six dropped catches, only the fielding spirit of Hayden Morris, debutant Alex Trigg and the unconventional squatting Greg Thomas, kept the score down as Ruardean Hill closed their 40 over innings on 337-2. The other Monmouth bowlers were Craig Cook (41-0), Shannon Maguire (65-0) and Ella Smith (54-0).

In their reply, Monmouth decided to strive towards the 100-run target to achieve valuable league bonus points. Opening batsmen, Rob Pendleton (19) and Saunders (25) grafted to build a solid foundation until number three Mike Maguire (42), joined Saunders at the crease where the run rate was intensified throughout a 70 run partnership, particularly by some terrific, hard hitting Maguire leg side stroke play. Four Monmouth batsmen achieved double figures, Rory Sheppard (12) completing that list. Including a hat-trick by Hill’s skipper Neil Cartwright (26-5), Monmouth lost nine wickets for 21 runs, being all out for 116. The other Ruardean Hill bowlers were Kieran Lilley (23-0), Dennis Symonds (3-1), Richard Henson (31-0), Martin Symonds (21-1), Leo Powell (8-1) and Paul Weaving (0-2 from 1.5 overs).

Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, play against Dymock Third XI away at The Pound this Sunday 23rd July (2pm start).