PROMOTED Monmouth will begin their South-East Wales League Division 6 campaign against Cardiff-based rivals TAW at the Sports Ground on Saturday 2 May.

Peter Keay’s Monmouth side won the Division 7 title last summer and suffered just one defeat – to TAW, who took the runners-up spot.

Champions Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, topped Division 7 by 13 points to seal the club’s seventh league title at first-team level.

Keay said: “After a fantastic 2025, the whole team are itching to get this year's campaign under way.

“After going 15 league fixtures without defeat last summer, winning became a habit that no-one was willing to surrender.

"Since the fixtures for this season were issued, our opening game against TAW is all that everyone in our squad has spoken about.

“Our players are determined to get the new season off to a winning start against very capable and dangerous opponents who we respect fully.”

Since forming in 2022, TAW, who play at Pontcanna Fields in Cardiff, secured a fourth successive league promotion in 2025.

This summer, Keay’s troops can look forward to mouth-watering derbies against old rivals Newport Fugitives Seconds and Panteg Seconds.

The highest place side in the section are Cardiff-based Bay Dragons, who were third and narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 6 last season.

After hosting TAW in their curtain-raiser, Monmouth return to the Sports Ground for their second fixture, against Abercynon, relegated from Division 5 last term, on 9 May.

Monmouth then travel to Corntown, near Bridgend, to face Vale Seconds on 16 May before entertaining Newport Fugitives Seconds on 23 May.

They then visit the Pontypridd area to play Hopkinstown, relegated from Division 5, on 30 May.

Monmouth will also come up against Penarth Thirds and Treorchy-based Upper Rhondda in the 10-team division this summer.

Keay’s side have been drawn away to Ponthir Seconds, from Division 9, in the second round of The Macey Bowl (Gwent section).

Monmouth received a bye in the opening round of the 20-overs-a-side competition.

All second-round fixtures must be played by Sunday 21 June.

Last season, despite 76 not out from Adam Roberts, Monmouth suffered a six-wicket first round away defeat to Abergavenny Seconds after posting 153-3 from 20 overs.

Meanwhile, Monmouth Seconds will travel to Newport Fugitives Thirds in the first match of their Division 12 programme on 2 May.

With Andrew Dobbie at the helm this summer, the seconds are away in their second fixture with a trip to Bridgend Town Fourths.

The seconds, who finished third last summer under Neil Saunders’ leadership, will then host Chepstow Thirds in a derby at the Sports Ground on 16 May.

Dobbie is being assisted by vice-captain Saunders and the seconds can look forward to derbies with Llanarth Seconds, Monkswood-Panteg and Croesyceiliog Thirds in 2026.

New skipper Theo Minnie will be leading Monmouth Thirds to an opening-day trip to Abercarn Seconds in Division 15.

Minnie’s thirds then entertain Radyr Sixths at Chippenham Fields seven days later before visiting Caerdydd Barbarians on 16 May.

In a strong division, the thirds, who will have Sean McCluskey as vice-captain, will meet seven teams home and away.

Monmouth will face Blaina Thirds, Barry Wanderers Seconds, Porth Seconds and Miskin Manor Fourths only once.

No pre-season training is scheduled for this coming Sunday and the club’s final indoor nets session is being held at Monmouth Leisure Centre Sports Hall, on Sunday 12 April