Archive - Tuesday, 7 September 2004


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Monmouth CC complete the double - again

MONMOUTH Cricket Club's First XI successfully retained the Marches League Advantage Knock Out Cup, beating Glangrwyney by 67 runs, thanks largely to a superb century by Dan Head.

The win completed the second 'double' in successive years after the team won the Division 1 league title as well this season and meant that Monmouth became only the second team ever to retain the Cup.

Captain Paul Swingwood, arguably the most successful leader in the club's history, lost the toss and Monmouth, sponsored by Misbah Tandoori, were asked to bat first.

Opener Robert Prewitt (3) was unable to take advantage of the favourable batting conditions but Gareth Hughes and number three Head consolidated while maintaining a respectable scoring rate.

When Hughes fell in the tenth over, it brought Dave Croudace to the crease. He and Head then changed the tempo of the game and played some stunning shots all around the ground.

They enjoyed a huge third wicket partnership of 207 before man of the match Head (100) fell.

Croudace was caught trying for yet another boundary in his wonderful innings of 93. Monmouth closed their 40 over innings on the impressive total of 266-5.

The recently formed new-ball partnership of the ever miserly Swingwood (7-2-16-0) and Ed Barlow (8-1-37-2) was steady enough to ensure that the Glangrwyney openers never met the required run-rate of 6.65 an over.

And by the time the latter got the first breakthrough in the 14th over (an impressive running outfield catch by Bye, who dedicated it to his newborn daughter Lydia), Glangrwyney were considerably behind target.

Swingwood was replaced by off-spinner Aled Jones (8-0-36-1) who produced some lovely flighted deliveries, none more so than the one he took his wicket with.

At the other end, club veteran Jon Jones (8-0-68-4) replaced Barlow and, although expensive, captured four important wickets.

After Jones' spell, Martin Newell (8-0-37-3) swung the ball and thoroughly deserved his wickets.