Captain Idris leads the way (From Free Press Series)

Captain Idris leads the way

MONMOUTH Cricket Club's second team romped to a seven-wicket home win over Builth Wells in the Flint & Cook Marches League Division Two on Saturday.

An outstanding stint from Monmouth captain Idris Leonard (2-14 from 14 overs), who was given valuable support from Gordon Grey (3-53 from 14), restricted the depleted Mid Wales visitors to just 123-7 from 45 overs. Leonard's outstanding spell also contained nine maiden overs and helped to set up Monmouth's second victory of the new campaign.

The low target was never likely to test Monmouth's batsmen and opener Neil Franklin struck a superb unbeaten 73, containing seven fours and two sixes, to steer the home team to victory in the 32nd over.

Builth Wells, who fielded just ten players, struggled after choosing to bat first and were restricted to a pedestrian 36-2 from 22 overs.

The visitors' run rate remained snail-paced until middle order batsman Richards arrived at the crease and crashed a run-a-ball 46.

Had it not been for Richards' intervention the Builth Wells total would probably have not reached three figures.

Tony Jones, who has returned to Monmouth Cricket Club where he was a member back in 1969, delivered eight tidy overs for 27 runs, while Tony Sully bagged 1-26 from nine. Dave Guppy also shone in the outfield and held two important catches.

In reply, Monmouth Seconds, sponsored by Roscoe, Rogers and Knight, made a poor start when Ian Morgan (4) was caught at deep backward square leg.

Despite the other cheap dismissals of Andrew Smith (8) and Gordon Grey (4), the in-form Franklin continued to shine. Franklin was backed up by the big-hitting Martin Newell (33 not out) as Monmouth cruised to the target.

Franklin secured the victory in fine style, hammering a six to finish the match. The match ball was sponsored by Kirsty Buckland.

This Saturday, Monmouth Seconds will be aiming to continue their promising start to the season when they travel to Ledbury.