A 131-run third-wicket stand between Ben Pilot and Ben Lander guided Monmouth CC 1st XI to a second South East Wales 7 win of the season at Mountain Ash.

Peter Keay dismissed four of Ash's top five batters for just 19 runs, as the hosts were reduced to 44-7.

Tailend stands of 51 and 53 then let Ash reach a more respectable 151 all out off 35.5 overs, ninth man Dale Hames scoring 63, while Pilot also took 2-17 off eight overs, and Jared Janes, William Wilton, Aled Jones and Lander one apiece.

Monmouth were 16-2 in reply after Gareth Jones was run out for 10 and Paul Brooks caught for two, when Pilot joined Lander.

And the duo made hay in the sunshine, the latter scoring 61 off 70 balls, including seven fours, before holing out, leaving the visitors five short of victory on 147-3.

Pilot then hit two fours in successive balls for an unbeaten 71 off 59 deliveries, which included 10 fours and a six, Monmouth finishing on 155-3 off 25.2 overs to win by seven wickets.

The 2nds also won by 46 runs at home to Newport Fugitives 3rds, setting a 40-over target of 221-5 thanks largely to 89 not out from Paul Swingwood, who fired eight fours and a six, backed by Andrew Dobbie with 39, Kieran Shaw 18 and Mathew Williams 12.

Shaw then took three wickets, Tony Brennan and Rich Cotton two, and Sam Brennan and Neil Saunders one apiece alongside a Cotton run out as Fugitives were dismissed for 175 in the 39th over.

The Monmouthshire Menaces Forest 100 team also won by eight wickets at home to Cinderford St John in midweek, reaching the 155-4 target with 25 balls and eight wickets to spare.

Ben Lander blasted 61 for the hosts backed by Ben Pilot with 39 as Monmouth finished on 156-2, the hosts’ wickets coming from Pilot, Ben McCluskey, Jared Janes and William Wilton.