A SPIRITED start by Monmouth CC openers Andrew Dobbie and Joe Walton put on 61 for the first wicket in their warm-up game at Huntley on Saturday.

But chasing a 30-over score of 157-5, the visitors' batting then struggled to keep pace, with the hosts running out winners by 48 runs.

Monmouth's attack had early success, with Walton running out opener Patrick Doodson for one (7-1) and Sean McCluskey clutching a catch from a William Wilton ball to remove Charlie Gayther for a duck (12-2).

But fourth man Jason Saunders and opener Patrick Legge then added 76 for the third wicket, the former firing 47 off 52 balls before being caught and bowled by Will Hickmott (88-3).

That didn't halt the run flow though, Legge going on to 50 before retiring and Natty Phillips 30 before he was bowled (142-4), with one more wicket falling before the innings ended.

In reply, Walton fired four fours in tandem with skipper Dobbie before being bowled for 19 by Doodson.

New man McCluskey went for a duck trapped lbw (63-2) and Dobbie soon joined him in the pavilion, holing out to Gayther for 35 off 45 balls, including five fours (69-3).

Four more wickets went for the addition of only three runs (72-6) as Monmouth hit the buffers, only Wilton with nine, Eddie Atkinson six and Aled Jones 14 not out lifting them past the 100 mark before the innings ended on 109-9.

Usk CC also got some game time in Sunday's sunshine, beating Cardiff Metropolitan University 1st XI by 125 runs at home after scoring 244 all out in 48.2 overs.

Harawal Ahmed Wassam top-scored with 70 runs off 76 balls, backed by Ollie Rayner with 37, Matthew Williams 34, skipper Elliot Doyle 26 and Hugo Caldicott 18.

The Usk attack then skittled out the visitors for 119 in 37 overs, Rayner steaming in to take 6-20 and Sam Crisp 3-17.

Monmouth visit Undy & Magor this Saturday (April 26), while Usk sides face Aston Ingham away and Bridgend Town at home the same afternoon, followed by Chipping Sudbury at home on Sunday.