MONMOUTH Cricket Club will be aiming to put the record straight this Saturday – after three comprehensive defeats last weekend.

Paul Swingwood's mid-table side will travel to Ponthir needing to get back to winning ways after crashing to 69-run and 105-run home defeats against Abergavenny and Pontymister, respectively.

A healthy crowd on Friday night at the Sports Ground saw 18-year-old Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Cameron Herring crack a superb 82 for Abergavenny in a Macey Cup first-round tie.

Lewis Parfitt (86) shone with Tredegar-based Herring, who has played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire this summer.

The pair ran expertly between the wickets and put Monmouth's bowlers to the sword as higher-graded Abergavenny amassed 187-4 from 20 overs, despite the efforts of Andy Bowley and Ben Turner.

A late flourish from Jonathan Jones (29 not out) and Turner (22), together with knocks from Wayne Etheridge (13) and newcomer Luke Rose (11) lifted Monmouth to a respectable 118-7.

Monmouth's batting failed in spectacular fashion the following afternoon against Pontymister's spinners in their biggest defeat in the Thomas Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three.

In reply to Ponymister's 234-8 from 50 overs, Matthew Jones (23) and Dave Croudace (20) put on 51 for the first wicket for Monmouth.

However, Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, collapsed to 83-8 against Mohammad Asif (4-22).

The hosts were eventually shot out for 129 in the 40th over as they were outplayed and slipped to their third league defeat of the campaign. Andy Bowley (24 not out) staged a late rally for Monmouth.

Earlier, Richard Shaw bagged 3-63, while Bowley took 1-22 from 10, Jonathan Jones took 1-36 from 10, Turner 1-47 and Josh Grey snapped up 2-7 but Pontymister's batsmen took control.

Zulfiqar Ali (75) top scored for the Newport side and was supported by Salman Muhammed (31) and Abbas Ashraf (26). Wicketkeeper Rose held three catches for Monmouth in a fine display.

Mike Turner's second team will host Ponthir Seconds at the Sports Ground this Saturday, following an emphatic 85-run reverse at Pontymister Seconds last weekend.

Spinner Aled Jones (4-38 from nine overs) was the star man for Monmouth Seconds, who had a tough afternoon at Pontymister Seconds as the hosts piled up 265-7 from 45 overs in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League 2nd XI Division Three.

Nick Brown (83) and Pontymister debutant Gulzar Raza (79) piled on the agony for a Monmouth side who felt aggrieved at several vital umpiring decisions and dropped more than 10 catches.

Turner claimed 2-50, while Zak Williams (0-34 from seven) opened the bowling with his spin and Martin Newell took 1-66 for Monmouth Seconds, sponsored by Ancre Hill Vineyard.

Louis MacFarlane and Jon Despontin held excellent catches and there were solid fielding displays from Cornelius and Josh Clark.

Newell (38) led Monmouth's reply but Pontymister were the better team and the visitors could muster only 180-8. Aled Jones struck a breezy 27 not out and Despontin finished unbeaten on 12 after contributions from reliable opener Steve Morgan (18) and Williams (16).

Monmouth Cricket Club are appealing for new players, for more details email Jon Despontin on [email protected]">[email protected]

• Monmouth Cricket Club are hosting a county representative youth match at the Sports Ground this Sunday (16th June).

The under-12 boys' match between Gwent and West Glamorgan starts at 1pm and will be a 40 overs-a-side contest.