South East Wales Cricket League Division Three (Second XI) - Monmouth Second XI (158) lost to Monkswood Second XI (188) by 30 runs

MONMOUTH continued their struggle to avoid relegation from Division Three Second XI of the South East Wales Cricket League at home on Saturday against high flying Monkswood.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first on an outstanding looking Monmouth wicket, the visitors made good progress under Ian Kilmister (49) and Glyn Watkins (36) before Gwent under 13 leg spinner Sam Swingwood (3-40) removed Kilmister and left arm seamer George Williamson (3-29) removed Watkins as Monkswood started to find the going tricky.

There were fine economical spells from Martin Newell (2-24) as well as Henry Damon (0-26) but some late order stroke play from Kevin Brooks (36) took the visitors up to a par score of 188 before the last wicket fell to Gwent under 13 bowler Alfie Robinson (1-21) in the final over.

In reply, the Monmouth innings looked in trouble early on as openers Ian Morgan (6) and Henry Damon (5) fell cheaply. However, this brought to the crease young Sam Swingwood whose innings of 62 not out was one of the very best ever produced at Monmouth by a junior playing in a senior team, keeping Monmouth in the hunt for victory by holding the innings together and showing maturity beyond his years.

Despite contributions from Wales over 60 Rob Pendleton (13) and stand in skipper Gaz Hughes (13), Swingwood unfortunately ran out of partners and was left stranded on a very fine 62 not out as Monmouth’s innings closed on 158 in the 36th over.

For the visitors there were wickets for Mark Bleazard (4-20), Craig Pugh (3-34), Connor Hamer (2-25) and Kevin Brooks (1-21) as Monkswood ran out deserved winners.

The eight points Monmouth collected for the defeat though did just move them outside the relegation places, and they now face a trip to Caerphilly next Saturday to play Machen CC, with a 1pm start.