A SUPERB four-wicket salvo from teenage off-spinner Will Hickmott fired Monmouth 2nds to an emphatic 71-run victory away to Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer 1st XI in South-East Wales Division Nine.

Man-of-the-match Will snapped up four wickets for just five runs in a devastating three-over burst in Saturday’s hard-fought fixture.

It was Hickmott’s best-ever bowling figures and highlights his growing confidence and skill levels since switching from seam to spin bowling just three months ago.

Earlier, Gareth Jones top-scored with an excellent 42, including six boundaries, as Monmouth, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, posted a respectable 155-8 from 40 overs on a very green, lively pitch with variable bounce and extravagant seam movement.

Hickmott with 26 and Tom McNally 19 also made important contributions, while Aled Jones with an unbeaten nine, Neil Saunders and Rick Parkes added valuable runs towards the end.

After the interval, Tony Brennan, a late call-up for Duncan Delreeve who injured his eye in a freakish clothes-peg incident, and his teenage son, Sam, immediately had Cefn’s innings in tatters.

Tony bagged 2-17 from eight outstanding overs, including four maidens, while the pace and steepling bounce from Sam (1-11 from six), had the home batters backing away.

Gareth Jones (2-27) made further inroads before Hickmott ripped through Cefn’s batting line-up in a remarkable burst that sent the hosts tumbling to defeat.

On-field captain, Saunders, even had the luxury of holding back Aled Jones in reserve for once and the star off-spinner immediately struck to take 1-0 as Monmouth shot out Cefn for just 84 in the 29th over, despite a gritty 22 from D Evans.

McNally (0-21) also bowled with pace and there were good catches from Gareth Jones, wicketkeeper Barry Jones and Parkes.

The match was sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems and Monmouth host Ebbw Vale 2nds at the Sports Ground this Saturday (12.30pm start).

Meanwhile, a stylish half-century from Andrew Dobbie was the highlight in Monmouth 3rds’ eight-wicket home loss against in-from Llantwit Fardre Seconds in Division 12.

Dobbie (62) and Matt Williams (39) produced an excellent opening partnership of 88 on a very good track, prepared by groundsman Gordon Grey, at the Sports Ground.

The ever-improving Dobbie collected five boundaries in his fine knock, while Williams struck six boundaries in his innings.

Will Powles also weighed in with 17 as Mike Maguire’s Monmouth side reached 159-5 from 40 overs against an impressive visiting attack.

Lauren Maguire (1-33 from eight overs) and her younger sister Megan (0-23 from seven, including two maidens) bowled very well for Monmouth.

Greg Thomas (1-24) also picked up a wicket but Richard Praill’s hard-hitting 71 not out and Stephen Thomas’ 50 powered Llantwit to the target in the 31st over.

Dobbie delivered eight overs for 35 runs and Powles also took a catch, while wicketkeeper Dannie Stone impressed and Becky Townsend, Jill Jones and Harry Williams were energetic in the field.

The match was sponsored by The King’s Head Hotel – JD Wetherspoon - and Monmouth 3rds will be hoping to bounce back away to Mountain Ash 2nds this Saturday (12.30pm start).

There was lots of spirit, smiles and positivity as Monmouth 4ths produced their best performance of the season in a 48-run defeat at Abertillery 2nds in Division 13 East.

Former Panteg player Alun Jeremiah (4-42) achieved his best bowling figures for Monmouth and showed that his hard work in training is paying dividends.

The returning Joe Walton (40) and rookie Pablo Nayager (36) starred with the bat and there was a very special moment for Spanish swing bowler Marta Fernandez.

Opening bowler Fernandez, who is new to hard-ball cricket this season and has been working incredibly hard in the nets, took her first-ever wicket in senior cricket as she finished with 1-33.

Fielding first, Helen McGloin’s Monmouth side reduced Abertillery to 58-4 before the hosts recovered to 191 before being dismissed in the 32nd over.

Navjot Singh (40) and Dylan Bradley (36) led the way for the hosts, but loan signing Owain Bradley (3-31), from Abergavenny, Nayager (2-12) and loan player Emma Higgs (0-17 from five) bowled well for Monmouth.

Walton took a catch and wicketkeeper Ben McCluskey made a sharp stumping.

In reply, excellent batting from opener Walton and Nayager gave Monmouth hopes of victory when they reached 87-1 at the half-way stage.

Despite 26 from Bradley and 10 from McCluskey, Abertillery hit back and the visitors were eventually dismissed for 143 in the 38th over.

The match was sponsored by Latorre Consultancy and Monmouth 4ths host Glangrwyney 2nds at Chippenham fields this Saturday (12.30pm start).

Monmouth Cricket Club’s weekly training session for all seniors takes place on Thursdays at the Sports Ground from 6pm.

The cricket club will be holding an Australian-themed farewell party this Saturday night for popular player Will Powles who is heading Down Under for the winter.

To get involved, please contact Dave Walters by emailing [email protected]