South East Wales Cricket League Division Three - Llanwit Fardre First XI (143) lost to Monmouth First XI (144-1) by nine wickets

MONMOUTH Cricket Club made it two wins from two as they continued their promotion push on Saturday with an emphatic nine-wicket win away at bottom side Llantwit Fardre.

On a warm afternoon at Church Village, the hosts won the toss and decided to bat first on a dry and dusty looking wicket. Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, started well with the ball with seamer Raj Kuttappu (1-23 off six overs) frequently beating the outside edge to no reward.

At the other end young Wales under 14 left arm spinner Ben Davies struck early and kept the pressure on throughout his nine-over spell finishing with impressive figures of 1-16 off his nine overs. With the introduction of last week’s man of the match Sam Swingwood, Llantwit found the going got no easier as the Gwent and Monmouth School under 13 leg spinner finished with impressive figures for the second match running, taking 2-17 off his nine overs which included three maidens.

With a slow scoring rate Llantwit limped along to just 61-4 at the 23-over drinks break before the introduction of Alim Hansraj saw several wickets fall in quick succession as the Kenyan spinner took 4-16 in nine outstanding overs. For Llantwit, only captain Stuart Clarke (77) offered any real resistance and his side were in deep trouble as the score progressed to 88-9 at the 32-over mark.

However much credit is due to Clarke and number 11 Mark Jones (2) who put on an impressive 56 runs for the last wicket as they frustrated Monmouth before Clarke finally fell with just one ball of the innings left. In the field there were catches for stand in skipper Adam Roberts and Dave Croudace, and wickets for Roberts (1-20 off 3.5) and Martin Newell (1-18 off four overs).

Monmouth knew that in reply a steady approach was required, and openers Dave Croudace (58) and former Wales youth player Matt Jones (70 not out) batted superbly, putting on 124 before Croudace was clean bowled. The two offered the hosts very little in the way of chances, rotating the strike beautifully and seeing Monmouth home in the 31st over for a much needed 20-point victory.

The result sees Monmouth retain second spot in the league, two points behind Crumlin who visit the MCG for the first time next Saturday in a vital game at the top of Division Three. The game is a 1pm start and all spectators are most welcome.