MONMOUTH Cricket Club’s 1st XI dropped out of first place in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3 on Saturday, as they fell an agonising eight runs short in an epic contest away at title rivals Cardiff Gymkhana.

In an afternoon that saw more than 520 runs in 90 overs at Llandaff playing fields Monmouth won the toss and decided to field first, assuming bowler friendly conditions after very heavy rain in Cardiff all day Friday.

However, Gymkhana showed just how excellent the surface was as they got off to a strong start and put on 71 for the first wicket in next to no time.

From there on they pushed the score to 186-2 as Monmouth toiled away with little reward in the field. 

In fact it was Gymkhana opener and wicket-keeper Tahla Talib who starred throughout the Cardiff sides innings, smashing a brilliant boundary laden innings

of 122 consisting of 11 fours and seven sixes.

Talib was well supported throughout by T Tariq (39) and K Khan (32) as a string of strong partnerships took the Gymkhana score to an impressive looking 266-7 off their allotted 45 overs.

With the ball it was Monmouth’s slow bowlers that had the most success with wickets for captain Ben Turner (3-35 from 8), King’s Taunton schoolboy Henry Breeze (2-65 off 9) and Alim Hansraj (1-36 off 9).

In the field Monmouth

paid a heavy price for several dropped catches, but there were successful efforts by Ben Turner and Ben Davies plus a stumping for wicket-keeper Gareth Hughes.

In reply, Monmouth made a steady start reaching 41-1 off 11 overs before Grey was removed for 17.

A 100 run second wicket

partnership between opener Adam Roberts (63) and former Newport and Wales youngster Matthew Jones (67) created an excellent platform to launch from, yet despite contributions from Ben Turner (22) and Dave Croudace (22), Monmouth ultimately left themselves with just too much to do.

This was despite a brisk 38 not out from youngster Breeze at the death, with Monmouth finishing on 258-5 from their 45 overs.

The result saw Monmouth lose top spot to their opponents, yet the eight bonus

points picked up in defeat

meant they trail by just 0.17 average points and, with seven games to go, all is still very much left to play for in the title race.

Monmouth, sponsored by the Kings Head, will be looking to return to winning ways at the Sports Ground next week as they face a tricky encounter against mid table Monkswood.

Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth should contact [email protected].