Teenager Dan Bernard snapped up 3-20 in Monmouth Thirds’ seven-wicket defeat at Pontypridd Fourths in Division 15.

Former captain Chris Powles top scored with 14 as Monmouth were rushed out for 53.

The promising Bernard picked up a wicket with the first ball of the Pontypridd innings, well caught by young wicketkeeper Xander Wilton.

Bernard went on to claim two other scalps and Monmouth will be hoping for similar spirit and application from their young players this Saturday against Penarth Fifths at Chippenham Fields (12.30pm).

Monmouth 1st XI captain Peter Keay hit 27 in his side's surprise 97-run defeat at bottom-placed Newport Fugitives Seconds .

Monmouth Thirds also slipped to an eight-wicket defeat, going down to Division 15 table-toppers Caerdydd Barbarians at Chippenham Fields earlier this month. Chris Powles (17) and Theo Minnie (13) were the leading scorers as Barbarians ace Justin Mahoney (5-13) shot out Monmouth for 57 in 21.2 overs. Monmouth spinner Ieuan Jones took 2-13 but Alex Weaver (39 not out) and Rhys Blake (16 not out) led Barbarians to an emphatic victory.

Meanwhile, a whirlwind unbeaten 135 from Chepstow Thirds opener James Bostock sent Monmouth Seconds tumbling to an eight-wicket defeat in a South East Wales League Division 12 derby at Tutshill.

Monmouth openers Ian Morgan (80) and Andrew Dobbie (60) were the mainstays for the visitors, who reached 239-5 from their 40 overs at Francis Field last Saturday. Barry Jones (19), Tom Willgoss (17) and Jake Teague (12) all chipped in for Monmouth, while the lively Finlay Hillman took 3-45 from eight overs for Chepstow.

However, the experienced Bostock made light work of Monmouth’s total, hammering 17 fours and eight sixes in a sensational innings.

Sam Uttley (1-31) and Joe Walton (1-49) took a wicket a piece, while Teague held a catch for a shell-shocked Monmouth side in which Richard and Zach Bowen made their senior debuts.