MONMOUTH CC’s 1st XI slumped to a disappointing 74 run defeat away at Whitchurch Heath on Saturday and surrendered top spot in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3.

The defeat also enabled third placed Ebbw Vale to close the gap on second placed Monmouth in what will no doubt now be a very tense final four matches in the race for the title.

On Saturday, Whitchurch won the toss and batted first on what would turn out to be a slow

wicket with plenty of assistance for the bowlers.

Whitchurch progressed steadily with the bat, moving from 61-2 to 98-4 with contributions from opener Gareth Lucey (38) and Baranidharan Kuselen (29) but the regular fall of wickets kept Monmouth interested.

In the latter stages some big hitting from David Tibbs (36) and Michael Richards (32) saw Whitchurch reach a respectable 169 all out in the 44th over. With the ball, the wickets were shared around evenly, with contributions from Neil Smith (1-22 off 9), Alim Hansraj (2-28 off 9), left arm spinner Ben Davies (2-36 off 9) and skipper Ben Turner (1-31). The stand out performer was Raj Kuttappu who took 3-15 off four overs of good pace to clear up the Whitchurch tail and leave Monmouth an imminently gettable target at the half way point.

In the field there were catches for Turner, Josh Grey, Kuttappu and wicket-keeper Gareth Hughes (2).

In reply though, Monmouth had no answer to the Whitchurch bowlers, with only former Newport and Wales youngster Matt Jones (26) and Alim Hansraj (14) offering any resistance as the hosts ripped through Monmouth’s usually reliable batting line up in 30.2 overs for just 95, with Tom Salmon the chief tormentor taking 4-36 in nine excellent overs of spin.

Next Saturday sees Monmouth return to the Sports Ground where they remain undefeated this year, as they take on fourth place Dinas Powys looking to avenge a 43 run defeat earlier in the season away at Parc-Bryn-y-Don. The match starts at 1pm with all supporters and spectators most welcome.