LLANARTH seconds poor run continued despite the best efforts of skipper Keith Spencer who carried his bat through the innings for the first time in his life achieving a first ever century in the process.

Llanarth's innings was a stop start affair with several batsmen getting in with scores of around 20 only to get out when looking like making a substantial contribution.

The Monkswood bowlers played their part by keeping a decent line and length in sometimes difficult conditions when a light misty drizzle threatened to spoil the game.

Through it all Spencer maintained concentration despite a heavy collision with his batting partner, which left both players sprawled on the grass. How Monkswood failed to run either of them out only they will ever know.

As the end of the innings approached the bat grew heavier and the pitch longer with every ball until in the penultimate over the wild cheering from the pavilion indicated that the milestone had been reached; at the age of 55 the skipper had finally scored his first and assuredly last century! It had been a long time coming.

There was just time to add the few runs needed to reach the magic 200 total to obtain maximum batting points.

After an all too short tea interval Llanarth took the field and their total was soon put into perspective as the Monkswood openers made light of the bowling and after a steady start were soon into their stride scoring freely.

Llanarth did not help themselves by dropping catches off both batsmen one of which again involved the skipper colliding with his own fielder as they went for a catch that they had both called.

At the mid innings drinks break Monkswood were more than half way home on 110 without loss.

The bowling improved in the second half of the innings and Piers Bisson(1-28) finally made the breakthrough bowling Tew for a well made 56, however this only served to bring the hard hitting Robin Jones to the wicket who struck four fours and a six to keep up the run rate.

In partnership with Kilminster they added another 48 before both fell in quick succession. Despite another quick wicket for the deserving Gruffyd Parry(2-47) who might have had five if all the catches had been held it was too little too late and Monkswood got home with six wickets and three overs to spare.

 

LOOKING to avenge an early season defeat at the hands of Pontllandraith, Llanarth firsts found revenge was a dish best served cold as they ran out winners in a high scoring affair which involved two centuries.

Winning the toss on a dull, cloudy day, Llanarth chose to put Ponty into bat, hoping the conditions would favour their band of bowlers.

Ponty, with their fairly strong batting line-up had other ideas and attacked the bowling from the word go, with prolific scorer Johnstone setting the tone.

Although Llanarth enjoyed a couple of early success stories, by the 20th over the score had reached 105-2 with danger man Johnstone scoring almost at will, and in partnership with Baker put on 118 for the third wicket.

Johnstone finally went for an excellent 105 with the score at 208-3 from 30 overs.

This was a very good platform on which to build a huge score and 300 plus looked on the cards.

However, with the introduction of Chris Lowell and Johnson the runs began to dry up and none of the remaining batsmen could stay with Baxter (86) to continue the momentum.

As Powell (3-60) and Johnson (3-44) slowly turned the screw, Pontllanfraith eventually succumbed and were all out for 261. Considerably less than anticipated but a more than useful score.

Llanarth, realising that the required rate was six runs an over, set about the bowling with openers Glenn and Baxter scoring an opening partnership of 73 from the first ten overs, before Glenn was out for 24.

Wharton joined Baxter and they continued the run chase, putting on another 60 runs in the next ten overs.

Despite numerous bowling changes, Ponty could do little to stop the rot, with 'thou shall not pass' Baxter and 'if it moves hit it' Wharton sharing a stand of 164 for the second wicket.

Wharton was finally out for a hard hitting 80, leaving the score at 244-2.

Baxter carried his bat for a splendid 116 not out and G Powell (10 n.o) hit the winning runs with five overs to spare, in what was an entertaining and high-scoring game that allowed Llanarth to cement their position of third place in the league.