Ponthir 187-7

Monmouth 188-5

A BRILLIANT 91 from Josh Grey led Monmouth Cricket Club to an emphatic five-wicket home win over Ponthir in the Thomas Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three.

Grey smashed 14 boundaries in a man-of-the-match display as Monmouth overhauled Ponthir's 187-7 with 12.2 overs to spare.

Grey and captain Paul Swingwood (35 not out) joined forces at 103-4 in the 20th over and their 78-run stand took Monmouth to the brink of victory.

The win keeps alive Monmouth's hopes of a top three finish and they have a vital match at fourth-placed Whitchurch Heath this Saturday.

Grey is flying high this term - he is the second highest run-scorer in Division Three with 477 runs at an average of 39.75.

Last Saturday's match at Monmouth Sports Ground was among only two fixtures in the entire league which survived the wet weather.

Birthday-boy Jonathan Jones was in top form for Monmouth, snapping up 3-20 from 10 overs, including four maidens.

Teenage pace bowler Charles Griffin (2-19 from seven), spinner Alim Hansraj (1-24 from 10), and Ben Turner (1-22) also picked up wickets for the hosts.

Captain Swingwood held three catches, while wicketkeeper Gareth Hughes shone behind the stumps, with a catch and an excellent display.

Jack Norman (43) top scored for Ponthir and was backed up by John Price (35 not out), Lewis Spinetti (29) and Jamie Evans (17 not out).

After the interval, Monmouth lost three early wickets in pursuit of the target, including Turner (15), before the hosts hit back.

With the rain threatening, newcomer Matt Lovett, a former Chepstow player, hammered a quick-fire 35 to put Monmouth in control.

Grey, who was eventually caught at short mid-wicket, and Swingwood took Monmouth to the edge of victory.

Hughes hit the winning run to seal a double for Monmouth, while Matt Dennehy (2-38) was the Newport outfit's most successful bowler.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, have just two league matches remaining and have leapfrogged Ponthir to go fifth in the table.

The club are delighted to have snapped up newcomers Griffin and Lovett and any other players from the area interested in joining Monmouth Cricket Club, should email: jdespo@aol.com