Monmouth (188 all out) lost to Pentyrch (232-5) by 42 runs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club First XI fell 42 runs short on Saturday in their Division One home clash in the South East Wales Cricket League.

Winning the toss on an overcast day and following on from some heavy overnight rain, Monmouth sponsored by Burkert Fluid Control Systems, won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Pentyrch made a steady and watchful start at the top of their innings progressing to 69-1 off their first 25 overs but crucially keeping wickets in hand.

Opener Lewis Coates was the mainstay of the visitors innings, his impressive 83 coming from 120 deliveries.

Monmouth however did manage to maintain an element of control in the middle overs as Pentyrch reached 134-3 at the 38 over stage, thanks largely to the efforts of young Gloucestershire U17 leg-spinner Sam Swingwood (1-33 from 10), the ever consistent Alim Hansraj (0-40 off 9) and the pick of the bowlers skipper Adam Roberts (0-25 off 10). However, Pentyrch paced their innings superbly and with wickets in hand launched a brutal onslaught in the last 12 overs that saw 98 runs scored with the ball disappearing to all corners of the ground thanks largely to a belligerent 65 not out off just 37 balls from all-rounder Brett Hole. Monmouth toiled hard in the field and with the ball and although there were wickets for James Taylor (3-49 off 7) and Harry Friend (1-31 off 4) Pentyrch closed their innings on an impressive looking 232-5 after their allotted 50 overs. Monmouth tried hard in the field despite the late onslaught and there were catches for Henry Breeze, Dave Teague and wicket-keeper Rhydian James.

In reply Monmouth made slow progress against an accurate seam attack reaching 47-2 at the 16 over point before two lengthy rain delays saw all momentum taken from their innings. In fact, Monmouth lost two key wickets – in form batsman Josh Grey (0) and well-set Glamorgan Academy and Wales U17 batsman Harry Friend (31) both to the first delivery straight after the two stoppages for rain.

Monmouth did launch something of a fightback in the middle overs with a 51-run partnership between the hard hitting Henry Breeze (61) and youngster Sam Swingwood (20), but it wasn’t enough and despite cameos from wicket-keeper Rhydian James (15) and Paul Swingwood (11 not out) Monmouth fell further and further behind the rate, before eventually being bowled out for 188 in the 49th over.

Monmouth’s chief perpetrators were George Barratt (2-39 off 10), leg spinner Lewis Coates (2-51 off 8.3) and skipper Todd Wilcox (4-21 off 10) as the visitors ran out deserved winners by 42 runs. Monmouth would like to thank their match day sponsors ChilliPepper Signs and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways next Saturday when they face the challenge of travelling to Division One table toppers Sudbrook, 12.30pm start.

Anyone interested in playing cricket for Monmouth should contact [email protected]