MONMOUTH Cricket Club recorded a magnificent 62-run win over Herefordshire rivals Garnons, to capture their first Advantage Business Supplies Marches League Knockout Cup triumph at Goodrich on Sunday.

Division 1 champions Monmouth completed a memorable League and Cup Double, after beating bogey team Garnons in an enthralling final.

Australian all-rounder Charlie Bye hammered a dazzling 79 from just 39 balls, in a man-of-the-match display, as Monmouth amassed an imposing 264-4 from 40 overs.

Quick bowler Jonathan Roberts then played his part by snapping up three key Garnons wickets in a superb eight-over stint, before the big-hitting John Blandford blasted 71 off 36 deliveries to put the Herefordshire side in a with a realistic chance of victory.

But a brilliant running catch from Monmouth skipper Paul Swingwood, off the bowling of Bye (2-43 from six overs), dismissed the dangerous Blandford, having smashed five sixes and five fours, and the Welsh club went on to dismiss Garnons for 202 in the 30th over.

Monmouth skipper Swingwood beamed: "The team has been a credit to the town of Monmouth this season, and everyone at the club is delighted with our success. I thought that Bye's innings was absolutely superb, while Roberts bowled magnificently and removed the cream of the Garnons batting line-up."

Monmouth made a disappointing start after being put in first when the prolific Rob Prewett was caught at slip for just four.

But vice-captain Chris Richards and the talented Dan Head joined forces for a crucial 89-run second-wicket stand, before Head departed for an excellent 39 which contained six fours.

Richards, making his farewell appearance for the club before moving to Bedfordshire, was dismissed by a 'shooter' for a gritty 49, including eight fours, and Monmouth were 118-3 off 27 overs.

In-form Wayne Etheridge hit an excellent 59 not out from 54 balls, containing seven fours and a six, but the complexion of the Monmouth innings was changed by 31-year-old Bye, who caned the Garnons attack, and reached his fifty off just 19 balls.

The Sydney-born all-rounder eventually fell to an amazing running catch at long-on, after crashing six fours and seven sixes in a blistering knock, which put the Welsh club in the ascendency.

The Monmouth innings was then rounded off by Swingwood, who struck an unbeaten eight from just two deliveries.

Garnons, in reply, were immediately rocked by paceman Roberts (3-31), who clean bowled skipper Jon Andrews (0), the prolific Alan Jones (7) and Steve Newton (15) in a hostile eight-over opening burst.

Opener Dave Brown (46) kept Garnons in contention, until he was bowled by spinner David Cullen-Jones (2-49), and then Andy Brace (27) looked menacing before he was brilliantly caught on the square leg boundary by Wayne Etheridge.

Swingwood claimed 1-29 from five overs, but the big-hitting Blandford threatened to take the game away from Monmouth with an unexpected onslaught.

But once Blandford fell, spinner Aled Jones (2-27) struck twice, and claimed the final Garnons wicket, as Monmouth completed an historic double with 10 overs still remaining.

Martin Newell and wicket-keeper Jonathan Davies also performed well for a buoyant Monmouth side who celebrated their triumph long in to the night.

The match ball was sponsored by club president John Wigmore.