A FIVE-wicket haul from skipper Paul Swingwood fired Monmouth Cricket Club to a 49-run victory at Ponthir to reignite their promotion hopes in the Thomas Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three.

Swingwood snapped up 5-10 from 10 overs to seal Monmouth's third league victory of the campaign and propel the border outfit to fourth in the table.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, repeated their victory over Ponthir from earlier in the season in the preliminary round of the Macey Knockout Cup.

Not many matches survived the wet weather which affected the region last Saturday lunchtime, so Monmouth were delighted to collect 18 points.

Monmouth have another important league match this Saturday, hosting fifth-placed Whitchurch Heath at the Sports Ground (1pm start).

At Ponthir in a match reduced to 45 overs a side, openers Matthew Jones (58) and Dave Croudace (45) provided the platform for Monmouth's 198-8.

Jones, who struck eight boundaries, and Croudace put on 98 runs for the first wicket and allowed quick-fire knocks from Josh Grey (42) and Tej Saran (19).

Matthew Dennehy (4-33) was the Newport outfit's most successful bowler on a damp wicket at Oaklands.

After the interval, Ponthir progressed to 60-1 through John Price (29) and James Dennehy (23) before Monmouth's bowlers took control.

Swingwood was Ponthir's chief tormentor and deservedly picked up the Ancre Hill Vineyard man-of-the-match award.

The Monmouth captain was supported by swing bowler Saran (3-25) and the hosts' innings crashed to 94-7 and then 103-9.

Dan Risk bowled well, costing just 27 runs from 10 overs, while Andy Bowley bagged 1-41.

Ponthir recovered, through Mark Crook's last-ditch unbeaten 23, to reach a respectable 149 before being dismissed in 44.5 overs.

Newcomer Luke Rose was impressive behind the stumps for Monmouth and instigated a run-out off the penultimate ball to seal an 18-point return.