Wayne Etheridge hit a brilliant century but Monmouth Cricket Club suffered an agonising one-wicket home defeat in a thrilling match against high-flying Lisvane.

Opener Etheridge struck 114 to propel Monmouth to 242-6 and the hosts looked in control when they reduced Lisvane to 74-4 in last Saturday's clash at the Sports Ground.

However, Lisvane batsman Sree Reddivari hit a match-winning undefeated 109 to lead the visitors home by the narrowest of margins with just four balls remaining.

Talented teenage left-arm spinner Henry Breeze bagged 3-40 from nine overs and bowled well under pressure in the closing stages for Monmouth.

It was mid-table Monmouth's second defeat in three matches in the Thomas Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three.

And Paul Swingwood's men make their first-ever trip this Saturday to league newcomers Pencoed, who won the top flight of the Welsh Club Cricket Conference last season.

Etheridge stroked 17 boundaries in his third century for Monmouth, while skipper Swingwood (33), Josh Grey (24), Matt Jones (18) and wicketkeeper Gareth Hughes (18) also contributed.

Justin Rowles (4-59) was Lisvane's most successful bowler on an excellent pitch prepared by groundsman Gordon Grey.

Accurate bowling from Richard Shaw (2-33 from eight overs) and Andy Bowley (1-35 from eight) pegged back the visitors.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, appeared to have Lisvane in trouble at 74-4.

However, the in-form Waldron (50) and Reddivari transformed the match before Breeze broke through.

Monmouth picked up further wickets as the balance of the game swung both ways.

The hosts eventually removed Rowles (15), who shared a 50-run stand for the ninth wicket after a superb long throw from Wayne Etheridge.

Reddivari, who hit 11 fours and two sixes, squeezed Lisvane home in 49.2 overs to spark some jubilant victory celebrations.

The returning Jonathan Jones took 2-66 and Tej Saran conceded just 36 runs from nine economical overs. Ali Hay did very well in the field and Hughes gave a competent display behind the stumps.

Monmouth thank Trevor Slocombe for scoring the book and anyone interested in playing cricket should contact Jon Despontin by emailing [email protected]">[email protected]