It's agony for Monmouth IIs (From Free Press Series)

It's agony for Monmouth IIs

MONMOUTH Cricket Club's Second team slipped to an agonising one-wicket home defeat against Hay-on-Wye in an exciting Flint & Cook Marches League Division 2 clash on Sunday.

Defending a modest 158-8 from 45 overs, second-placed Monmouth claimed four late wickets which put them on the brink of a remarkable victory.

But Monmouth's joy swiftly turned to despair when Hay's last-man crashed the winning boundary off the first ball of the last over.

All-rounder Jon Jones (5-38) instigated Monmouth's incredible late fight-back but it could not stop the home side from sliding to a second successive home defeat - their third reverse of the season.

Hay's match-winner was Steve Jones who hit a vital 64 after Monmouth Seconds, sponsored by Roscoe, Rogers and Knight, had snapped up three early wickets.

Monmouth skipper Idris Leonard claimed 1-23 from 13 overs, while Tom Baker chipped in with 2-39 from 10.1, and Tony Sully bagged 1-25. Good catches were taken by wicket-keeper Jon Despontin and Adam King.

Earlier in the day, a 91-run opening-stand in 28 overs between 14-year-old Tej Saran (61) and Ian Morgan (33) gave Monmouth a steady start on a drying pitch.

However, Monmouth's batsmen found difficulty raising the run-rate against some accurate bowling, with vice-captain Martin Newell (11) and King (11) the other home players to reach double figures. Mike Carlisle was the pick of the visiting attack with 5-41 from 10 overs.

Monmouth Seconds complete their league programme against unbeaten champions Garnons this Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash.

Meanwhile, a special cricket match in memory of club stalwart Mike Etheridge takes place at the Sports Ground this Sunday, 1.30pm start.

The match is the second between two Monmouth sides and there will be a raffle to raise money for the Haemophilia Society.

The club would welcome any offers of sponsorship, or prizes which could be raffled to help raise funds.

For more details, contact chairman Chris Brooks (01600 891022) or David Williams (01600 716723).