MONMOUTH Cricket Club's second XI made it three wins in a row with a six-wicket victory away at Machen.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Machen found themselves under early pressure thanks to wickets and tight opening bowling from Andy Bowley (1-5 from six overs) and sixteen-year old George Williamson (2-18 from eight).

Machen recovered their position in the game due to a captain's innings from the experienced A. Knight (65) and support from his middle order.

However Monmouth continued to make inroads with wickets for Jake Bowley (1-48) and Monmouth skipper Rick Parkes (2-47) respectively from their eight-over spells, and catches for both Jake and Andy Bowley.

Martin Newell cleared up the Machen tail, taking four wickets for 16 runs from 5.2 overs, leaving Machen all out for 160 on a ground with a reputation for high-scoring games.

In reply Monmouth made steady progress, but the game was still in the balance at 78-4 on an uneven pitch, despite contributions from openers Tom Jones, Rob Pendleton, Jake Bowley (15) and Liam Stubbs (12).

In the event, Monmouth overhauled Machen's total in the 36th over without further loss, thanks to 79 not out from man-of-the-match Newell, supported by a watchful 15 not out from wicket-keeper Barry Jones. 

Rick Parkes