CRICKETERS in Monmouth have started their winter programme under the watchful eye of a senior Glamorgan coach.

A group of leading seam bowlers from Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School Boys’ Prep have been put through their paces by David Harrison, Glamorgan’s assistant coach and head analyst.

Harrison, who visited Monmouth School Sports Club for the sessions, carried out a detailed video analysis of the young bowlers and provided valuable feedback.

Newport’s Oskar Rice, Monmouth’s Harry Friend, Llanarth duo Arthur Newington-Bridges and John Newington-Bridges were joined by fellow pupils Freddy Harding (Wormelow), Joe Jenkins (Wormelow) and Will Morris (Brockhampton).

Harrison was impressed with the accuracy of Monmouth’s bowlers who hit the stumps 15 times during a 20-ball spell while he was filming the action.

“If I can help the boys improve their bowling by 10 to 15 per cent that should serve them well heading into next summer,” said Harrison.

Former Glamorgan wicketkeeper Mark Wallace, Old Monmothian Steve James, the former England and Glamorgan opening batsman, and left-arm spinner Dean Cosker will also be coaching the school’s players after half-term.

Monmouth School for Boys formed an exciting partnership with Glamorgan earlier this year, which was launched with a flagship match against a Wales youth team at Sophia Gardens.

The arrangement stemmed from a meeting between Glamorgan’s chief executive Hugh Morris, headteacher Andrew Daniel; director of sport Andy Jones, James and Jeff Bird.

Talented cricketer Harry Friend, 15, has just been selected for Glamorgan’s academy after hitting more than 2,000 runs in 2018.

The teenager is hoping to follow in the footsteps of James and another Old Monmothian, Jeremy Lawlor, who is on the playing staff at Glamorgan.

Jones, who plays his club cricket for Abergavenny, said: “We are very excited about our partnership with Glamorgan and I know our young players will benefit hugely from the valuable expertise and professional knowledge of David Harrison and the other players who will be coming into school.

“It was a great experience for our boys to play on the main pitch at Sophia Gardens in the summer and we are looking forward to working with Glamorgan and developing our partnership further.”