SKIPPER Ben Turner admitted Monmouth Cricket Club's batting line-up failed to spark in a 90-run defeat at title-favourites Lisvane in the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League. Turner was delighted after Monmouth fought back from a poor start with the ball to dismiss the St Mellons-based outfit for 187 in Saturday's Division Three clash. Jonathan Jones finished with 4-51, while fellow spinner Aled Jones bagged 2-40 as Lisvane produced a solid batting display on a damp pitch which offered movement to the bowlers. Despite quick-fire knocks from Josh Grey (22) and Turner (19), Monmouth's batsmen were pegged back by an impressive home attack and the innings subsided from 55-2 to a disappointing 97 all out. Turner's men remain fourth in the division and will be hoping to bounce back this Saturday against another strong outfit, Whitchurch Heath, at the Sports Ground (1pm start). Lisvane made a flying start through classy teenager Nye Brown (42) and Tripathy (26) after a poor start from the visitors' opening attack. Former Malpas and Lydney bowler Neil Smith (1-31 from 10 overs) and left-arm spinner Henry Breeze (1-30 from 10) applied the breaks for Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon. Matthew Jones held two fine catches, despite picking up a leg injury in the field, while Smith, Aled Jones, Jon Despontin, Ian Morgan and Turner also took catches. Turner ran out home skipper Ali Waldron (23) with a sharp piece of fielding to put Monmouth in a good position to limit the Lisvane innings. But the home side continued to score runs through Alex Curry (35 not out), Jamie Keir (22) and Rob Williams (21) before they were bowled out in the 47th over. After the interval, Monmouth's made a cautious reply through the injured Matthew Jones (13) and Morgan (13) before Grey added some impetus. Once Grey was caught at mid-off and Turner also holed out, however, Monmouth's innings fell away despite gritty knocks from Aubrey Stubbs and Aled Jones. Justin Rowles (3-12) and James Baker (3-33) were the most successful bowlers for Lisvane, who have bolstered their squad since last season and look a force to be reckoned with this term. Turner thanks the reliable Trevor Slocombe for scoring the book. Luke Bowley's Monmouth 2nd team are away to Whitchurch Heath 2nd this Saturday after their 2nd XI Division Three match last weekend against Ebbw Vale 2nd was called off due to a wet pitch.