DINAS Powys Cricket Club's 1st team travelled the distance to a must-win clash against Monmouth knowing that defeat would end their promotion hopes.

On a good day skipper Lewis Clarke lost the toss and Monmouth promptly batted on what resembled a newly tarmacked road.

Clarke (1/29) and Josh Clogg opened the bowling and the skipper struck soon after, bowling the Monmouth opener with one that jagged back off a length, to leave Monmouth 10-1.

Alex Vowles was the next to strike bowling an immaculate line and length to take David Croudace for 44 to peg them back to 85-2.

Monmouth captain Josh Grey was beginning to knock it about with authority in partnership with Adam Roberts and a daunting total looked set on the cards, but excellent bowling from Fernando (0-38) Dani Zaman (1/60) and evergreen Asad Rizvi (4/40) made sure Monmouth finished on a par 239-7, backed up by excellent catches from debutant Ryan Todd, Fernando ‘G’ and a double from Curtis Wingren.

After tea Dinas set about their chase but lost Ryan Todd early for three with a catch in the gully region. But this set-up a 115 run partnership between Matthew Todd-Bennett and Asad Rivzi who batted beautifully and sensibly to set-up the game.

Rivzi made a well-paced 45 off 73 deliveries before he chipped to cover whilst next man Wingren copied the shot falling for three. Club stalwart and chairmen Jason Harries strode in at five and upped the tempo to make a well-paced 13 before being bowled by the off spin of Adam Roberts.

Fernando elevated to number six to run a tiring Todd-Bennett ragged combined with a match winning partnership of 60 with Fernando making 11no.

The hero of the run chase belonged to Matthew Todd-Bennett who defied his recent form to score a majestic 135no off 126 balls to take the Villagers home in 42 overs to gain a first ever away win at Monmouth’s home fortress.

A truly brilliant innings full of attacking stroke play and deft touches, most notably the off drive played to perfection.

Dinas now have a real sniff of promotion if they can win their three remaining fixtures, although some other results need to fall their way. Next up is Barry Wanderers on Saturday for their final home match of the season.

Dinas' 2nd team played at home against Croesyceilog 2nd team making 241 all out, with wickets for the evergreen Richard Morgan (2/54) and Lloyd DiMauro (4/36). Dinas however just fell short with a great run chase making 206-8, with Morgan making 31 DiMauro 36, skipper Andy Fraud 41.

Dinas' 3rd team faced the trip to Cynon Valley, with them batting first and making 309-3 off 40 overs, but Dinas fell short with a respectable 204-8, runs for Rob Tucker (25), skipper Gareth Storey (29) and Geoff Colley (25).