Monmouth IIs pull off dramatic win (From Free Press Series)

Monmouth IIs pull off dramatic win

MONMOUTH Cricket Club's Second team pulled off a dramatic two-wicket home win over Ross-on-Wye - with just one ball to spare - in a thrilling Flint & Cook Marches League Division 2 clash on Saturday.

Needing 14 runs to win from the final over, Monmouth's Tony Sully was the hero, hammering two sixes and a two to swing his side to a memorable triumph.

Replying to Ross's 207-5, Monmouth's cause looked lost when Sully, batting at numeber 10, joined Jon Despontin (3 not out). But the veteran held his nerve to hit a match-winning 14 not out.

Sully's lusty blows gave second-placed Monmouth Seconds, sponsored by Roscoe, Rogers and Knight, their seventh win from eight matches and their first league double of the season.

Opener Graham Hyde also played a major part in Monmouth's triumph, striking 10 fours and a six, in a classy 69.

In fact, Hyde shared a valuable opening stand of 91 in 19 overs with Andrew Smith (35) which put Monmouth in a good position.

All-rounder Tom Baker blasted a quick-fire 30 and Alex Richards hit an important 27 which kept Monmouth's hopes alive until Sully prevailed. Earlier, Terry Morgan (44) and Graham Farmer (30) had given Ross a solid platform with an opening stand of 42.

However, the mainstay of the visitors' innings was the experienced Alan Marfell who hit 76, from 96 balls, including eight fours and a six.

The visitors looked on course for a sizable total when they reached 173-4 from 40 overs but fine bowling, in particular, from Martin Newell (2-27 from eight overs) and Baker (2-31 from six), kept them in check.

Sully (1-37 from nine) took a wicket, while Despontin made a stumping and a good piece of fielding from Gareth Hughes led to a run-out. The match balls were sponsored by Bob's Restaurant and Kirstie Buckland.

Monmouth Seconds travel to Builth Wells this Saturday in search of their second league double of the campaign.