Lovegrove lays into Monmouth (From Free Press Series)

Lovegrove lays into Monmouth

MONMOUTH Cricket Club crashed to an 82-run away defeat against arch-rivals Talgarth in a Flint & Cook Marches League Division 1 top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

The reigning champions were put to the sword by Talgarth's New Zealand professional Justin Lovegrove, who cracked 93 in his side's imposing 253/8.

Lovegrove and fellow opener Des Parry (51) made Monmouth's bowlers toil and laid the foundations for Talgarth with a first-wicket stand of 147 in 25 overs.

Although in-form David Teague struck an excellent 52 on a pitch livened by rain, previously unbeaten Monmouth closed well short on 171/7.

Despite the defeat, Monmouth remain top of the table and it was their first league loss since the same opponents beat them in the final match of last season.

Considering Talgarth made such a flying start, Monmouth fought back well in the closing stages with off-spinner Aled Jones (5-62 from ten overs) and Teague (1-27 from eight) managing to slow down the flow of runs.

What Lovegrove lacked in technique he more than made up for with his lusty blows and hammered 11 fours and four sixes in a run-a-ball innings.

The Kiwi was particularly harsh on David York, who opened the bowling in his first Monmouth appearance for several years.

The Cheltenham-based player was given a baptism of fire on his return to the club, conceding 28 runs from four overs.

Monmouth's stand-in skipper Jonathan Roberts took 1-68 from 15 overs, while the visitors' cause was not helped by Alex Richards, a key part of the Monmouth attack, who broke down after just two overs.

Monmouth, however, kept plugging away and there were good catches taken by Dan Head, Aled Jones, Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Dave Croudace.

Heavy rain slowed the outfield and livened up the pitch before Monmouth, who are sponsored by Misbah Tandoori Restaurant, went out to bat.

Monmouth suffered an early setback when Croudace was run out for one but Teague and Rob Prewett resurrected the innings with an 86-run second wicket stand. Teague collected six fours and a six in his 66-ball innings until he was caught and bowled by Glyn Harrhy (2-49 from 15 overs).

Prewett (38) soon followed to Harrhy with the total 106 in the 29th over and Monmouth were behind the run rate.

Harrhy was backed up by former Brecon seamer Huw Griffiths who conceded just nine runs in his opening nine overs and finished with 1-51 from 15.

Once Jon Jones (9), Charlie Bye (2) and Roberts (2) had all fallen trying to lift the run-rate, Monmouth chose to play for bonus points and ensured they were not bowled out. Head made a stylish 38 from 48 balls and it was left to the eighth-wicket pair of Aled Jones (8 not out) and York to dig out the remaining deliveries.

The match balls were sponsored by Frost Antiques and Pine and Bob's Restaurant.

Talgarth's victory keeps the title-race wide open and it means that Monmouth's home match with neighbouring Goodrich this Saturday has an added importance.