Victory - with one ball left (From Free Press Series)

Victory - with one ball left

MONMOUTH Cricket Club fought back from the brink of defeat to snatch a dramatic one-wicket win against visiting Goodrich - with just one ball to spare - in a rain-hit Flint & Cook Marches League Division 1 clash on Saturday.

Last-man Jonathan Roberts was Monmouth's hero, smashing a quick-fire unbeaten 12, to steer the reigning league champions to a crucial victory amid high tension at the Sports Ground.

In reply to neighbouring Goodrich's 103 all out, table-topping Monmouth looked in desperate trouble when they plummeted to 94/9 with just one over remaining.

However, Monmouth vice-captain Roberts held his nerve and clubbed Goodrich's star spinner Mike Evans for a vital six over the mid-wicket boundary to ease the pressure.

Roberts then scampered the winning run off the penultimate ball of the match - reduced to 32 overs because of rain - to spark some jubilant celebrations from the Monmouth camp.

Monmouth skipper Paul Swingwood also played his part in the triumph, scoring eight not out in difficult circumstances.

Left-arm spinner Mike Evans bowled very well for Goodrich, claiming 5-42 from 10.5 overs, but his effort was in vain for the former champions.

Roberts also had an impact with the ball as Monmouth, sponsored by Misbah Tandoori Restaurant, reduced a much-weakened Goodrich side to 73/6 and eventually snapped up the last four wickets for one run.

Roberts bagged 3-12 from ten overs but Goodrich's chief tormentor was spinner David Teague who claimed 5-34 from 10.1 overs.

All-rounder Ed Barlow also impressed, taking 2-10 from three overs, while there were catches taken by Aled Jones (2), Dan Head, Rob Prewett, Dave Croudace and Swingwood.

Goodrich were missing their leading batsman Andy Brown and they were indebted to Phil Evans (35), who led the way. He was backed up by veteran Mike Evans (13), Mark Bradford (13) and Rufus Davies (12), who chipped in for the Herefordshire outfit.

Former Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil Phil Evans then shone after the interval, taking 2-25 from 11 overs, including the prized scalp of the prolific Teague, who he clean bowled for just five.

With wickets tumbling around him, Monmouth opener Prewett showed stubborn resistance before he was eventually dismissed for a defiant 29.

Australian all-rounder Charlie Bye also weighed in with a useful 16 runs but Monmouth's cause looked lost when Roberts strode out to the middle to join Swingwood.

It will be interesting to see just how important Roberts' last-gasp match-winning contribution proves to be at the end of the season.

The match balls were sponsored by Hancocks of Monmouth and Adrian Gaunt Jewellers.

Monmouth travel to Leominster this Saturday and then play Bosbury at the Sports Ground on Sunday in a re-arranged second-round tie in the Advantage Business Supplies Marches League Knock-out Cup.