Oldswinford 135 all-out Monmouth 138-9

MONMOUTH Cricket Club secured a nerve-jangling one-wicket win at Oldswinford in a low scoring match in the Worcestershire County League Division 2.

Jonathan Roberts (4-29 from 17 overs) and Cole McConchie (2-13 from seven) shone last Saturday as Monmouth dismissed Oldswinford for 135 in 49.4 overs.

McConchie also took an incredible one-handed catch at extra cover - leaping full-length to his right to hold on to a drive which was rocketing to the boundary.

Despite solid knocks from Kiwi McConchie (32) and Dan Head (27), Monmouth's batsmen also struggled to score runs on a drying pitch.

Monmouth's last-man Aled Jones arrived at the crease with four runs still needed for victory and he hit the winning boundary to seal the visitors' first-ever win over Oldswinford.

Stand-in captain David Teague will be delighted with Monmouth's narrow triumph but relieved his side weren't left to rue three poor lbw decisions from the league umpires. 

Monmouth are now second in the 12-strong Division 2 after collecting 49 points from three matches and they trail table-topping Burghill & Tillington by two points.

Monmouth, sponsored by JD Wetherspoon, were quickly into their stride after winning the toss against Oldswinford, who were playing in Division 1 last season.

Jonathan Roberts and 18-year-old McConchie caused problems on a soft pitch and, helped by diving catches from Ian Morgan and Head, Monmouth reduced the hosts to 31-5.

J Perks (22) and S Ali (28) engineered a recovery for the Stourbridge-based side who lost their sixth wicket at 73 and then Ali fell to McConchie's wonder catch.

Oldswinford slipped to 105-8 but Seb Soukup (33 not out) batted sensibly to lift the hosts to 135 before Dan Risk's accurate throw from the deep ran out the last batsman.

There were also good fielding displays from newcomer Jody Roberts and the returning Peter Jeremiah.

Jonathan Jones snapped up 2-23 from eight overs, while Aled Jones took 1-30 from 11.4 overs and McConchie held a second catch at extra cover.

In reply, Morgan (17) and Head gave Monmouth a solid start with a 42-run opening stand in 13 overs.

However, Monmouth's innings dipped to 79-4 from 30 overs against good bowling from Soukup and Tony Brewer, who both took 50 league wickets last season in Division 1.

McConchie's gritty 32 helped Monmouth to reach 103-5 from 40 overs but he was then given out lbw to a ball which was clearly going down the leg side.

The dismissal sparked a collapse and, after Jonathan Roberts had fallen lbw to a ball which he blocked with his bat, Monmouth were staring at an agonising defeat.

Aled Jones walked to the crease with Monmouth at 132-9 and joined Jordan Charles (seven not out), who showed great maturity.

After digging out two yorkers, Jones (5 not out) drove the winning boundary with 13 balls remaining to clinch Monmouth's narrow win.

Monmouth picked up a 20-point haul from the game, while Soukup (4-38 from 17 overs) and Brewer (1-34 from 17 overs) took the bowling honours for Oldswinford.

The match balls were sponsored by Matthews and Jones Dental Surgery and Millbrook Nursery and Garden Centre.

Monmouth host newly-promoted Rushwick at the Sports Ground this Saturday in another tough league fixture (1.30pm start).