South East Wales Cricket League Division Three (Second XI) - Barry Wanderers CC Second XI (223-6) beat Monmouth CC Second XI (166) by 57 runs

DESPITE a spirited performance with the bat and ball, Monmouth Cricket Club Second XI fell to a 57-run defeat away at Barry Wanderers on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat and progressed steadily to drinks with the fall of just one wicket, secured thanks to Henry Damon (1-38) and a smart slip catch from Wales over 60 Rob Pendleton. Following contributions from George Williamson (0-19) and a luckless spell for Neil Saunders (0-38), the wickets in hand for the batting side, and a change of tactics from the visitors, saw the run rate increase after the half way stage but also saw wickets fall with breakthroughs for Liam Stubbs (1-41), Gareth Hughes (1-56), Alfie Robinson (1-23) and skipper Rick Parkes (1-8). Henry Damon took a smart catch and Wales under 12 wicket keeper Harry Hughes impressed again behind the stumps as the home side finished on 223-6 from their allotted 40 overs.

Monmouth’s reply started steadily, but the top order of Rob Pendleton (10), Liam Stubbs (12), Gareth Hughes (10) and his son Harry (14) all made starts without going on to make the bigger scores that would have been needed to make a realistic challenge. The highlight of Monmouth’s reply came from Greg Pendleton, making only his second appearance of the season. His score of 46 and a partnership with Parkes (14) in particular helped Monmouth get the later runs needed to secure batting points, before both were out while attempting to push on the score.

At the close, Monmouth were all out for 166 in the 39th over, but the batting and bowling points secured enabled the visitors to climb off the foot of the table in their battle this season to stay in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Second XI Division Three. Next week the seconds will look to return to winning ways with a trip to Creigiau with a 1pm start.