Monmouth Cricket Club 1st XI avoided the wet weather on

Saturday which saw most of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League fixtures cancelled, to register an emphatic nine wicket victory over Pontypridd-based visitors Llantwit Fardre.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoons, lost the toss on an overcast day and were asked to bowl first on what was an excellent looking early season wicket at the sports ground.

Llantwit Fardre started well with the bat and looked comfortable in reaching 64/2 before Neil Smith removed the well-set opposition captain S.Clarke for 29. Former Malpas player Smith was the pick of the Monmouth bowlers early on removing both openers in an excellent nine over spell and finishing with impressive figures of 3/17 off his allocated nine overs.

Monmouth then continued to tighten their grip on the contest, as the visitors were unable to handle the combination of paceman Rajesh Kuttapattu (3/25) and Wales U13 left arm spinner Ben Davies (4/35) before being skittled out for just 126 in the 35th over.

Monmouth impressed in the field with catches for captain Ben Turner, Adam Roberts, wicket keeper Gareth Hughes and Monmouth School pupil Ollie Vickers (3) whose first catch was a real highlight moment. Following continued drizzle during the tea break, Monmouth made short work of their run chase as Josh Grey 64 off 56 balls and Matthew Jones 35 off 49 balls saw Monmouth home in just the 19th over.

Grey was particularly brutal on the Llantwit Fardre attack and following the early loss of Adam Roberts (10) put on a 104 run partnership with Jones to see Monmouth to a maximum 20 point haul.

Next Saturday the 1st XI will hope to build on their success as they travel away to Vale CC looking to avenge a disappointing defeat there last season, whilst the Seconds will host the same opponents at the sports ground in their opening fixture, after last Saturday's trip to Llantwit Fardre fell victim to the wet weather.

Both fixtures are a 1pm start. Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth this season should contact [email protected]">[email protected]