MONMOUTH Cricket Club will be running a third senior team this summer in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean League Division Two West.

The town club has struck a deal with neighbouring Penallt and will be playing their newly-established Saturday third-team fixtures at the villagers’ ground.

It is a significant step forward by Monmouth, who will be fielding senior first and second teams in the newly-created South East Wales Cricket League.

New club chairman Mike Maguire and vice-chairman Steve Gale have been working hard over the winter and can’t wait for the new campaign to start.

Mike, who went to school locally and has lived in Monmouth all his life, said: "It is a great honour and privilege to be in the hot-seat at such an established club as Monmouth.

“The club has been left in a sound position by outgoing chairman Martin Newell, who is now the treasurer, and the committee members. We have a great opportunity to push the club further forward and upwards.”

Monmouth have a warm-up match at Newport Seconds this Saturday (April 23) with a 1pm start and then make the short trip to Usk for a friendly on April 30 (1.30pm).

For details about senior cricket, e-mail first-team captain Ben Turner at [email protected]