MONMOUTH CC under 13s collected their first ever piece of silverware this week since their re-entry into the Welsh pyramid as they were comprehensive eight wicket victors over Newbridge CC in the final of the Monmouthshire Building Society Gwent U13 Shield last Friday.

On a bright evening the re-arranged final saw Monmouth win the toss and ask their hosts to bat first. The side struggled early on to contain Newbridge star man and Wales wicket-keeper batsman Alex Horton and Gwent youngster Joe Westwood (14) as the pair took a liking to the Monmouth seam attack and saw the score race along to 35-0 off the first five overs. However, when a monumental mix up in the running saw Angus Whitehead run out the dangerous looking Horton for a well made 23 off just 16 balls, the game turned in Monmouth’s favour.

From then on Monmouth turned to their spin combination, and Newbridge struggled to get the ball away like they had done early on, as man of the match and Wales under 11 Owen Harris (3-3 off four overs) and captain Sam Swingwood (2-3 off four overs) tightened the screw in the middle overs whilst taking regular wickets to see Newbridge collapse to 46-7 after 17 overs.

A couple of late boundaries from Jack Kinsey (8 not out) saw Newbridge scramble their way to 60-7 off their allotted 20 overs. For Monmouth there were good spells of bowling from Oliver Berry (0-20 off four), Alex Lawson (1-14 off four) and Charlie Weldon (0-18 off four) and they were ably supported by a strong fielding performance that saw catches taken by wicket-keeper Joe Harris as well as Sam Swingwood.

In response Monmouth knew that steady batting was required against Newbridge’s seam attack, and when Joe Harris (10) was given out leg before wicket in the fifth over with the score on 22 the game was still very much on. However, Swingwood (16 not out) and Berry (17) calmed the nerves with and took the score to 41 before Berry was removed by a good delivery from Matthew Evans (1-21 off four).

However, Swingwood and Weldon (7 not out) saw Monmouth home comfortably in the 15th over to spark scenes of jubilation amongst the travelling fans. The victory not only saw the side lift the shield but also saw them go the entire season undefeated and complete a remarkable league and cup double. Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth, junior or senior, for next season should contact Jon Despontin at [email protected]