FOUR batsmen struck half-centuries as Monmouth Cricket Club romped to a 142-run home win over struggling Llantwit Fardre at the Sports Ground.

Dave Croudace (83 not out), Josh Grey (70), Wayne Etheridge (61) and Matthew Jones (51) starred as Monmouth piled up 302-3 from 50 overs.

Left-arm spinner Jonathan Jones then snapped up 4-12 from 10 overs and Monmouth skittled out the visitors for just 160 in the 39th over.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, are fourth in the Thomas Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three table after their first home win of the campaign.

The victory was also Monmouth's first double of the season and they travel to Dinas Powys this Saturday for another vital match in their promotion challenge.

Etheridge and Matthew Jones laid the foundations of Monmouth's imposing total with a 105-run stand for the first wicket.

Croudace and Grey were then in top form against the bottom-of-the-table outfit while Ben Turner (16 not out) also chipped in.

Despite a quick-fire 54 from Llantwit opener M Walsh, Monmouth's bowlers kept their cool in the hot conditions and then got down to work.

While Jones put the visitors in a spin in his superb stint, Turner (2-26), skipper Paul Swingwood (2-34) and Andy Bowley (2-53) also gave valuable support.

Richard Shaw, Turner, Jonathan Jones and Grey also held catches, while Gareth Hughes made a stumping as Monmouth opened the second half of the season with a maximum 20-point haul.

Meanwhile, Monmouth youngster Ben Davies had an excellent day as Gwent Under 11s defeated Herefordshire twice at Monmouth Cricket Club.

Ben, who bowls left-arm spin, took 2-3 from five overs as Gwent shot out Herefordshire for just 47 in scorching conditions on Sunday.

Gwent eased to the target in only 10 overs for the loss of one wicket and the teams then agreed to play a Twenty20 match.

Davies hit 16 as Gwent posted 94-4 from their 20 overs.

After keeping wicket for the first 10 overs of Herefordshire's reply, the promising Davies bagged 1-6 from four overs and turned the match in Gwent's favour as the hosts won by five runs in a thrilling finish.

Monmouth Cricket Club thank all those who came to watch and helped out at the county match.

The club is now looking forward to hosting Gwent Under 15s' match against Pembrokeshire at Monmouth Sports Ground on Sunday 28th July.

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