A CENTURY from Ian Morgan provided the platform for Monmouth Cricket Club to return to winning ways with a 56-run victory at home to Creigiau on Saturday in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division 3. On a fine day with the home side’s ground looking a picture, Monmouth captain Rick Parkes won the toss and elected to bat. On a well-prepared wicket that favoured the batsmen, the home side were aware that a score in excess of 200 would be needed, and Monmouth’s opening partnership of Ian Morgan and Rob Pendleton rarely looked in trouble as they progressed to 194-0 after 32 overs. Morgan finally perished on 115 following a very assured innings which culminated with some controlled aggression and contained fourteen fours and two sixes. The wicket of Pendleton (49) shortly afterwards saw a frantic passage of play in the final overs as Monmouth’s batsmen, under captain’s orders and with wickets in hand, selflessly swung bat at ball in an attempt to maximise the total. As a result wickets tumbled quickly, handing Creigiau’s Javed figures of 6/24 as Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon (Kings Head Monmouth) scrambled to a total of 225-8 from their 40 overs.

In reply Creigiau were heavily contained early on by four maidens from the first five overs from pace bowler Richard Shaw and the flighted spin of Aubrey Stubbs (0-15 from 5 overs, including two maidens). The away side batted sensibly and began to accumulate runs but were pegged back by strikes from Luke Bowley, who finished on 3-31 from six overs and the change bowling of sixteen year-old George Williamson. At this point skipper Parkes turned to senior bowlers Aled Jones and Martin Newell and, while Creigiau’s score continued to progress, particularly with the dangerous Javed (47) at the crease, they refused to panic. Monmouth even withdrew an appeal for the stumping of Javed, which was initially given by club umpire Dai Williams, and made inroads through Jones (2/27 from 7 overs) and Newell (2-36 from 7). With Monmouth now in control and in search of maximum bowling points, aided by an assured performance and three stumpings from wicket keeper Jon Despontin, Shaw returned to take a well-deserved wicket for his 1-13 from 6 overs (including 3 maidens). Parkes got in on the act with a wicket, before Creigiau’s final wicket was lost to a run out from Luke Bowley, leaving Creigiau all out for 169 and Monmouth in receipt of maximum batting and bowling points. Next Saturday Monmouth 2nds face their longest away day as they travel to promotion chasing Brecon who they defeated in a highly entertaining contest at the Sports Ground earlier in the season.