Whitchurch Heath 127-9 Monmouth 128-6 MONMOUTH Cricket Club have climbed to the top of the Thomas, Carroll Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division Three table.

Skipper Paul Swingwood held four slip catches in Monmouth's comfortable four- wicket victory at Whitchurch Heath.

David Teague snapped up four wickets and Josh Grey top-scored with 43 as Monmouth leapfrogged leaders Pontymister, who suffered a surprise three-wicket defeat against Ponthir.

Monmouth have just three matches remaining and travel the short distance to Ponthir for another vital clash this Saturday (1pm start).

Teague (4-30) and Swingwood's sharp catching helped to restrict Whitchurch Heath to just 127-9 from 45 overs in last Saturday's match.

David Tibbs (30), Mohit Bhargava (29) and Matt Perrett (28) were the only home batsmen to shine on a slow pitch which offered sharp turn for the spinners.

Fine opening spells from left-arm seamer Dan Risk (2-30 from 10 overs) and spinner Alim Hansraj (2-14 from 10) had helped set up Monmouth's seventh league victory and an 18-point haul.

Ben Turner (1-4) picked up a wicket for Monmouth and Jonathan Jones bowled a tidy spell as the slow bowlers dominated.

Teenage duo Zak Williams and Matthew Jones excelled the field.

In reply, wicket-keeper Josh Grey led Monmouth's charge and was backed up by Teague (37) as the home spinners also made life hard for the visitors.

Turner made 13 and Swingwood struck an unbeaten 10 not out but Monmouth lost two cheap wickets with just 10 runs needed to anger the skipper.

Monmouth eventually wrapped up a league double in 41.3 overs and will be hoping for dry skies ahead of this weekend's trip to Gwent rivals Ponthir.

Former chairman Pat Baker and the Jewel Balti sponsored the match balls, while Swingwood and Teague shared the Ancre Hill Vineyard man-of-the-match award.