MONMOUTH Cricket Club's promotion hopes have been dealt a major blow after a damaging eight-wicket defeat at rivals Ponthir. Ben Turner's men were shot out for 104 after an abysmal batting collapse and, with just one game remaining, have slid to fourth in the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three. Now Monmouth must achieve an emphatic victory at third-placed Dinas Powys this Saturday (30th August) to stand any chance of wrestling the second promotion spot from Ponthir's grasp. Ponthir are hot favourites to secure promotion and will join Lisvane in Division Two next season if they can overcome bottom-of-the-table Machen in their final match this Saturday. Last weekend's defeat at Ponthir was Monmouth's first loss at first-team level since 7th June and it ended a remarkable run of nine consecutive wins for Turner's team. Monmouth were without four key first-team players for their biggest match of the season and, ultimately, paid the price for a woeful batting display after being put in to bat on a green pitch. Ponthir were superb and outplayed Monmouth in all facets of the game and avenged a crushing defeat at Monmouth Sports Ground on 21st June. There seemed to be a few demons in last Saturday's pitch when Monmouth duo Josh Grey (34) and Turner (26) put on 44 runs for the opening wicket inside eight overs Ponthir skipper Matt Dennehy (4-31 from 10 overs) was outstanding and Monmouth's innings, which included four ducks, suddenly plunged to 89-9. Charles Griffin struck an unbeaten 13 to take Monmouth past the 100-run mark but Jon Price (2-12) and Jamie Evans (1-7 from five) bowled well and the visitors were rushed out in the 37th over. Ponthir's opening batsmen David Wilson (30 not out) and Price (37) put the hosts on the front foot with a solid stand, despite a good burst from Griffin (0-13 from five). The duo put on 81 runs for the first wicket and the home side eventually coasted to the target in the 26th over. Henry Breeze (1-7) and skipper Turner (1-8) claimed consolation wickets for Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon. Meanwhile, a fine all-round display from skipper Martin Newell could not stop mid-table Monmouth Seconds from a 33-run home defeat against Ponthir Seconds in 2nd XI Division Three. Newell (4-24 from nine) and Richard Shaw (3-20 from nine) helped to bowl out Ponthir for 164 in the 38th over with George and Tim Rice both snapping up two catches. Sam Harrison (33) and Morgan Barrell (30) were Ponthir's leading run-makers. After the interval, Newell top-scored with 41 and was supported by wicketkeeper George Rice (20) and Steve Gale (16) but Monmouth, sponsored by Ancre Hill Vineyard, were dismissed for 131. Ollie Waterhouse (3-33), Harrison (2-17) and Harrold (2-24) brought about Monmouth's downfall in the 30th over. Monmouth Seconds round off their league campaign with a match against second-placed Brecon 2nd this Saturday at the Sports Ground (12.30pm start).