Dewes inspires two-wicket monkton win over mcc

Monkton Combe Monkton Combe School's 1st XI pulled off animpressive two-wicket win over a visiting MCC side at theirpicturesque Limpley Stoke ground last week.

The school side restricted a strong visiting team to 217 for fiveoff their allotted 50 overs and then overhauled that, reaching 218for eight with a well-paced reply.

Matt Brierly, who excelled in the field, emerged as MonktonCombe's top wicket-taker with a brace of victims.

And then the batsmen took over to see the hosts home, but onlyafter they suffered a couple of early setbacks.

Two early wickets fell, including that of skipper Nick Spear. Hewas sent back to the pavilion by David Graham, who bowled well inhis MCC guest appearance, leaving the game in the balance at 70 forthree.

The MCC then opened the game up to see if the school side wasgood enough to respond and they certainly were.

The key partnership saw 93 compiled by Sam Dewes, who was yorkedseven runs short of a deserved century.

At the other end, Dan Paynter was on his way to 65 not out but,even then, with 52 needed off 10 overs and 38 off the last eight,the game was still in the balance.

Paynter, however, saw Monkton home with support from RichMadgwick (11) with a mix of singles and well-judged twos in the lastover.

And Monkton Combe followed up their win over the MCC with a 47-run league win over Beechen Cliff in a rain-affected match

Paynter followed up his 65 not out against the MCC with 65 moreruns while Nick Spear hit his maiden 1st XI century with 113 inMonkton's 244 for five.

Beechen Cliff, chasing a reduced target of 209 off 34 overs towin after rain, closed on 197 for three in reply.