MONMOUTH were the visitors to Parc Bryn y Don on Saturday as Dinas Powys firsts looked to bounce back from last week's opening league defeat.

Monmouth batted first and after an early wicket set about the home sides indifferent bowling with gusto, helped by some ordinary fielding.

Wayward line and particularly length was heavily punished.

Looking for inspiration, skipper Clarke asked wicket keeper Matt Todd-Bennett to bowl, handing the gloves to Jeff Mitchell.

Todd-Bennett then unbelievably took wickets with his first two balls.

It seemed the momentum was turning back the villagers way but Monmouth are a resilient side and despite losing a couple more wickets, the tail enders despatched the all too frequent bad balls and hit their way to 260-8 at tea, Todd-Bennet the pick of the bowlers with 4-53.

Any thoughts of a positive run chase swiftly disappeared as Awais Choudhary departed for just one, and was followed next ball by Todd-Bennett leaving the Villagers reeling at 2-2.

Things didn't get any better as wickets fell regularly, with only Wingren (37) and Clarke (26) showing any defiance.

The end came quickly with the hosts all out in 30.3 overs for just 125.

The seconds were due to travel to Malpas, but despite just about every other game in the league being on, Malpas disappointingly called the game off early in the morning due to a waterlogged pitch.

The thirds opened their league campaign last week with a good win at Abercynon, and were on the road again this week as they travelled to Newport fourths. Batting first they amassed 255-5 with last week's centurion Geoff Colley in the runs again hitting 60, Rob Tucker 51 and Stuart Jones ending stranded on 98 not out at tea.

Restricting the hosts to 160-9 with five wickets for spin twins Rhys Lloyd (3-11) and Simon Wilton (2-9) means the threes are now two from two in the division.

It was also great to see three generations of one family turning out for this game, with Rob Tucker, son in law Stuart Jones and his son Jack Jones all playing in the same side.