FINE bowling spells from Alim Hansraj and Neil Smith helped Monmouth Cricket Club to a hard-fought six-wicket win at Llantwit Fardre. The duo, with support from Martin Newell, helped to reduce Llantwit to 43-7 before the hosts recovered to a respectable 141-9 from 50 overs. But Monmouth, who had travelled with just 10 men and lost Newell through illness, replied sensibly and reached the target in the 42nd over. Opener Matthew Jones (36), Jonathan Jones (36 not out) and skipper Ben Turner (24) all weighed in to guide Monmouth to an 18-point haul. Monmouth are now fourth in the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three table and host Cardiff Gymkhana this Saturday. Gymkhana are a useful side and recorded a league double over Monmouth last season. Monmouth made a fine start to last Saturday's match near Pontypridd through Hansraj (3-24 from 10 overs) and Smith (2-15 from 10). Newell picked up 2-9 in a four-over spell and, with catches from Ian Morgan (two) Turner, Newell, and a superb one-handed effort from Matthew Jones, the Llantwit innings capitulated from 29-1 to 43-7. Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, struggled to keep up the momentum with just nine men in the field, despite an outstanding display by wicketkeeper Jon Despontin. Chris Lloyd hit a defiant 50 for the home side, while Jonathan Jones (1-29 from 10 overs) and Turner (1-26 from nine) pegged away for Monmouth, whose depleted side kept their focus on one of the hottest afternoons of the summer. In reply, Matthew Jones and Morgan (16) put on 43 runs for the opening wicket and Turner's boundary-laden knock took the visitors to 87-2. But when opener Jones was run-out after a composed innings, in which he played some fine shots and looked in excellent touch, Monmouth had slipped to 107-4. But Jonathan Jones, making his first league appearance of the summer, alternated between attack and defence to put Monmouth in control. Hansraj (eight not out) hit the winning run for Monmouth in 41.3 overs to wrap up the second win in three matches for Turner's side. Turner thanks Trevor Slocombe for scoring the book, Richard Shaw for his efforts and Steve Gale, who fielded well on his first-team debut.