PROMOTION-chasing Monmouth crashed to a surprise 97-run defeat at bottom-placed Newport Fugitives Seconds in the South East Wales Cricket League Division 6.

Fugitives’ captain Oliver Mason (76 not out) and Wales Over-60s bowler Rob Franklin (3-31) were a thorn in Monmouth’s side last Saturday as Peter Keay’s 1st XI slipped to a fourth defeat of the season.

Despite the loss, Monmouth picked up seven points and remain third in the table with five league fixtures remaining.

Mason and Steve White (45), who once ran a sports shop in Monmouth, laid the foundations of Fugitives’ 260-6 after the visitors had won the toss and chosen to field.

Vice-captain Gareth Jones (2-58) was Monmouth’s most successful bowler as the basement club scored consistently throughout their 40 overs.

Aled Jones (1-42 from eight overs), captain Keay (1-46 from eight), Eddie Atkinson (1-49 from eight) and Ben Pilot (1-50 from eight) each picked up a wicket for Monmouth, while wicketkeeper William Wilton took a catch and there were sharp pieces of fielding from Amosa Nove and Harry Coulthard.

Reuben Egan (30), Russell Thomas (21) and Tristan Jones (16) all contributed for Fugitives on a decent batting surface.

Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, made a positive reply with Glamorgan Pathways Under-16 player Osian Jones (42) and his father Gareth Jones (20) putting on 57 runs for the opening wicket.

However, Monmouth then lost a cluster of wickets and struggled to keep their run-chase afloat against an accurate home attack.

Keay (27), Wilton (16), Will Hickmott (13) and Paul Brooks (10) battled hard but Monmouth’s reply fell away.

The visitors were eventually shot out for 163 in the 35th over as Fugitives claimed only their second league win of the campaign.

Monmouth will be aiming to bounce back when they host Hopkinstown at the Sports Ground this Saturday (12.30pm).

Meanwhile, an under-strength Monmouth Seconds slipped to an eight-wicket home defeat to Croesyceiliog Thirds in Division 12.

Kit Skailes (2-19) was a leading light for Monmouth who showed lots of enthusiasm against an experienced Croesyceiliog side.

Jake Teague (19) and skipper Andrew Dobbie (18) shared an opening stand of 37.

Skailes (18) and Bea Jones (12) then chipped in but Monmouth were skittled for 95 in 31.1 overs.

Chief tormentors Richard Bean (4-16) and Madoc Samuel (4-32) bowled accurately and brought about Monmouth’s downfall.

The fiery Skailes gave Monmouth early hope removing Croesyceiliog’s stalwart opener Peter Mason and his opening partner Samuel to leave the visitors 25-2.

However, Thomas Kear (52 not out) and Sourav Saha (27 not out) then got down to work to guide promotion-chasing Croesyceiliog to the target in the 19th over.

Barry Jones held a catch for Monmouth as skipper Dobbie used eight bowlers, including Craig Morgan, Monty Clarke, Bea Jones, Ieuan Jones, Jake Teague and Jacob Deighton. Alun Jeremiah was spritely in his first appearance of the season.

Monmouth Seconds remain seventh in the table and travel to face Dinas Powys Thirds this Saturday (12.30pm).