Monmouth almost pulled off another cricketing miracle last Saturday (14th July) – but their home match was abandoned after a heavy early-evening storm.

Cardiff Gymkhana had posted 146 for nine from 35 overs at the Sports Ground and promotion-chasing Monmouth were 47 for two from 13.1 overs when play was washed out.

It was a frustrating conclusion for Monmouth, whose players and groundsman had, once again, made herculean efforts to get the Sports Ground fit for cricket action in the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three.

Heavy rain on Wednesday evening, Thursday and Friday had flooded the cricket square at the Sports Ground and the club's new Bowcom Bowdry machine collected several tanks of standing water.

Ultimately, however, Monmouth's efforts to get the match played proved fruitless because it was abandoned at 6pm.

Monmouth remain third in the table, following their sixth abandonment from 11 league matches in a rain-ravaged summer.

This Saturday (21st July) Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, host St Mellons-based rivals Lisvane, who comprehensively defeated Paul Swingwood's men earlier in the campaign.

Good eight-over stints from Jonathan Roberts (three for 41), Dan Risk (two for 26), Andy Bowley (two for 28) and skipper Swingwood (two for 29) had restricted Cardiff Gymkhana to a respectable score in last Saturday's overs-reduced match, which had a delayed start.

F Ghami (25), Saquib Ali (19), Ujman Jaura (19) and Majid Karim (16) led the way for the visitors in their 146 for nine.

In reply, Monmouth lost a couple of early wickets but Josh Grey (21 not out) and Tom Vickers (six not out) were at the crease when the evenly-poised clash was rained off.

Meanwhile, second-placed Monmouth Seconds travel to Merthyr-based Hoover Seconds this Saturday in 2nd XI Division Three.

Dave Wilding's men's trip to Cardiff Gymkhana Seconds was called off last Friday afternoon due to the wet weather.

The bad weather has also caused havoc with junior training and the club's matches in this summer's Monmouthshire Building Society Junior League.

Steve Watkins, Monmouthshire's cricket development officer, will be at junior training tonight (Wednesday) and Monmouth Under-11s are scheduled to travel to Sudbrook Under-11s tomorrow (Thursday) in a Premier Division match, 6pm start.