South East Wales Cricket League Division Two - Blackwood (145 all out) Monmouth (147-7)

MONMOUTH Cricket Club continued their winning start to life in the South East Wales Cricket League Division Two with a hard fought three-wicket win away against recently relegated from Division One Blackwood CC on Saturday.

Losing the toss, the hosts elected to bat first on a good looking wicket and with small boundaries making life tricky to know what a good score would be. For the 3rd week running Monmouth, sponsored by Burkert Fluid Control Systems, had opening bowlers Jon Roberts (3-46 off 10) and Adam Roberts (2-31 off 10) to thank as both looked threatening and if it wasn’t for a string of early dropped catches would have taken even more wickets. As it was, opener Gareth Berry (25) looked in good touch until he was well caught at slip by Paul Swingwood, with the second of his slip catches, and number four Jarrod Withers (30) also looked promising until he chased a wide one and was caught behind by Jon Despontin off the bowling of Dave Teague (1/4 off six).

Despite contributions from Chris Thomas (23) and a well fought out 20 from Neil Reardon, Blackwood found themselves in big trouble at the 25 over stage as they seemed to play one shot too many and slipped to 99/8. However, a 50 run 10th wicket partnership between Reardon and youngster Ryan Johnston (30 not out) saw Blackwood take the score to a more respectable looking 145 before the last two wickets fell. For Monmouth there were wickets for Paul Swingwood (2-39 off 10) and James Taylor (2-7) and despite a dreadful start in the field, Monmouth steadily improved with catches taken by Jon Despontin, Dave Teague, Jon Roberts, Paul Swingwood (2), Adam Roberts and Ian Morgan.

After tea, Monmouth knew a steady reply was the order of the day against a fairly hostile seam bowling attack. Despite the early loss of Dave Teague (4) to an outstanding catch in the gully by G. Berry off the bowling of Neil Reardon (2-23 off eight), opener Ian Morgan (8) and in form Matt Jones (26) took the score to 51 before Jones was bowled by former Ebbw Vale paceman Dave Windross (2-7 off nine overs). Monmouth then struggled at times against a tidy pace attack and soon found themselves in a spot of trouble at 85-5 despite a quickfire 16 off Josh Grey. However, sensible strike rotation and lower-middle order batting from James Taylor (4), Luke Bowley (4) and finally Jon Roberts (13 not out) all provided valuable support for skipper Adam Roberts whose 38 not out was a match winning innings. For Blackwood there were wickets for Rich Matthews (3/54 off 10) but Monmouth were able to hold their nerve and get over the line in the 34th over. Next week Monmouth will be looking to maintain their winning streak when they travel to Ponthir, with a 12.30pm start. Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth, young or old, experienced or complete newbie, should contact Dave Walters on [email protected]