MONMOUTH Cricket Club will be remaining in Division Three next season – despite romping to an eight-wicket home win over Machen in their final match of the campaign.

Paul Swingwood's side needed results to go in their favour – but last-day wins for Cardiff Gymkhana and third-placed Lisvane put paid to Monmouth's outside promotion hopes.

Pontymister have won the Division Three title with Gymkhana taking the runners-up spot.

Despite the obvious disappointment, it was another solid season for fourth-placed Monmouth, who lifted the Division Three crown 12 months ago.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, won 10 and lost six of their 18 league matches this term to finish two places adrift of the promotion spots in the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League.

A fine display from spin trio Alim Hansraj, Jonathan Jones and Henry Breeze helped to set up Monmouth's emphatic victory against lowly Machen at the Sports Ground last Saturday.

Jones (2-20 from 10 overs), Hansraj (1-22 from 10) and Breeze (1-35 from 10) were instrumental in restricting Machen to just 177-6 on another excellent track prepared by groundsman Gordon Grey.

Vice-captain Ben Turner chipped in with 2-26 from six overs as Monmouth bowled well to contain Machen, after the visitors had raced to 53-0.

Mike Fussell (45 not out), Alun Thomas (44) and Knox (35) were the top-scorers for Machen, who had chosen to bat first after winning the toss.

Openers Wayne Etheridge (52) and Matthew Jones (48) gave Monmouth a superb reply after the interval, putting on 101 for the opening wicket.

Breeze (29 not out) and wicketkeeper Dave Croudace (25 not out) shared an unbroken 57-run third-wicket stand to steer Monmouth to the target – and a league double over Machen – in 36.2 overs.

Monmouth would like to thank Monmouthshire County Council for preparing outstanding pitches at the Sports Ground, Trevor Slocombe for scoring the book throughout the season and Anne Evans for making teas for the first-team

Final placings in Division Three (top four positions): 1 Pontymister 229 pts, 16.36 average; 2 Cardiff Gymkhana 215 pts, 15.36 average; 3 Lisvane 197 points, 15.15 average; 4 MONMOUTH 235 points, 14.69 average.

Monmouth will be introducing more junior players, from their thriving youth section, to senior cricket next season and are looking for new recruits to strengthen the squad.