THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH-EAST WALES LEAGUE

VALE promotion hopes in Division Three took a knock after Monmouth collected a four-wicket win, writes Tony Poole.

Vale captain Jonathan P Davies won the toss and chose to bat but at 23-2, the Corntown boys were beginning to struggle.

Skipper Davies (23) and Matthew Bassett-Williams (17) then got them on a more even keel at The Sports Ground ahead of the only contribution of substance.

It came from ex-Pencoed star James Snelson, who not only held the middle order together but kept Vale on the radar.

A bright and breezy unbeaten 55 that included nine boundaries improved team prospects, but the only tailender to get double figures was Alex Upham with 15.

They also committed the cardinal sin of failing to bat out their overs, and were dismissed at the end of the 41st over for 159.

Big Ben Davies struck with 9-1-33-3 for the Mon men; on-song James Taylor returned 8-1-293 while new ball operator Paul Swingwood frequently swung the ball in 8-3-26-2.

Still Vale had the runs and the Mon men had to get them and at 46-3, they didn’t seem like getting them.

Once more Matthew Bassett-Williams kept the runs down, placing the Mon men behind the clock courtesy of more trickery in 9-2-18-3.

But a key 46-run stand for the fourth wicket turned the course of a tight game with colourful Josh Grey hitting 24.

However, the wanted man was now captain Adam Roberts, who by hook or by crook was becoming extremely dangerous.

Olly Vickers (18) helped him add 48 for the fifth wicket before paceman Snelson (3.4-0-15-2) took two quick wickets.

But Roberts remained defiant and an unbeaten 72, containing a six and 12 fours, set up victory in the 39th over on 160-6.

Vale will now look to get back up into the saddle on Saturday away to Pontymister & Cross Keys.