MONMOUTH Cricket Club's 2nd XI won another exciting game last Saturday, this time with just four balls to spare away to Ebbw Vale.

In a rain-affected game that was reduced to 37 overs per side, Ebbw Vale won the toss and elected to bat, but there were early wickets for Richard Shaw (2-34 from 8 overs) and Luke Bowley (1-42 from 6).

The home side recovered strongly thanks principally to a rapid 61 from the prolific Yasir.

However Monmouth's bowlers stuck to their task and made inroads throughout as both wickets and runs came steadily, with two each for James Taylor (2-36 from 6) and captain Rick Parkes (2-23 from 4), and one apiece for Andy Bowley (1-41 from 8) and twelve year-old Ben Pilot (1-21 from 4).

Mike Maguire, Rob Pendleton, Jake Bowley and Shaw also took catches and Barry Jones kept tidily behind the stumps as Ebbw Vale were all out in the 36th over for an imposing 199.

In reply Monmouth progressed steadily, passing the hundred mark with the loss of just one wicket – Rob Pendleton for 16.

Opener James Taylor (48) and Jake Bowley (44) kept Monmouth within reach of the run rate, alternating watchful batting with aggression.

The wickets in hand enabled the away side to accelerate as Martin Newell (42) and Richard Shaw (27 not out) closed the gap.

There was a nervy finish as late wickets fell following Newell's dismissal with two overs to go and Monmouth still needing runs, but Shaw scored the winning runs in the final over as Monmouth finished on 200-4 for a 6 wicket win, collecting maximum points in the process and moving up to fourth in the league.

Next week Monmouth's 2nds travel away to Machen as we approach the half way point of the league season.