MONMOUTH Cricket Club's First XI made it an impressive five wins out of five in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3 on Saturday (30th May), with an emphatic seven wicket victory over Whitchurch Heath.

Playing at home, Monmouth won the toss against Cardiff based Whitchurch, and decided on bowling first on a warm afternoon and an excellent looking wicket at the Sports Ground.

Once again opening bowlers Neil Smith (2-28 off 9) and Rajesh Kutapattu (1-54 off 9) made early inroads and had the visitors wobbling at 45-3.

However, an excellent 134 run partnership between wicket-keeper D. Tibbs (60) and A. Webb (67) showed just how good a batting wicket it was as they settled the Whitchurch nerves and took the score on to a more promising looking 179-4.

From then on the run rate was increased dramatically by the hard hitting D. Zaman (33 not out) who hit what is believed to be the biggest six ever at Monmouth, with the ball landing in the grandstand at the far end of the ground.

His efforts saw Whitchurch reach a useful looking 239-5 off their allotted 45 overs, despite wickets for King's Taunton schoolboy Henry Breeze (1/42) and captain Ben Turner (1/32), as well as a very economical spell from spinner Alim Hansraj.

Monmouth's bowlers were well supported in the field with catches for Breeze, Turner and Hansraj although in truth several dropped chances proved costly.

In reply, Monmouth openers Adam Roberts (90) and Josh Grey (67) were especially brutal to all of the Whitchurch bowlers as they raced to 92-0 off the first ten overs, with Roberts in a particularly aggressive mood. His innings consisted of a remarkable 14 fours and three sixes before he eventually fell in the 16th over with the score on 159.

From then on in it was left to former Newport and Wales youth player Matt Jones (31 not out) to see Monmouth comfortably home in just the 33rd over, collecting 17 well deserved points in the process.

Next week Monmouth face the long trek away to Dinas Powys as they hope to continue their impressive run of good form.

Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth should contact JDespo

@aol.com