HEAVY rain ultimately had the final word on Monday but it failed to dampen the relations between Monmouth School for Boys and Glamorgan County Cricket Club.

It was the first time the school had hosted a Glamorgan Seconds match since 1996 and Essex were restricted to 198-6 from 50 overs in the Second Eleven Trophy South Group fixture.

Old Monmothian Jeremy Lawlor played for Glamorgan and year 11 pupil Harry Friend, who is part of Glamorgan's Academy, carried out the 12th man duties.

Friend, a talented opening batsman, was chosen for Glamorgan academy after scoring a remarkable 2,037 runs, including five centuries, in 2018.

The home side also featured Newport all-rounder Callum Taylor and Usk's South African pace bowler Mika Ekstrom, who bowled four overs for 18 runs.

Glamorgan's chief executive Hugh Morris and director of cricket, Mark Wallace enjoyed their trip to Monmouth, despite persistent rain preventing any play after the lunch interval.

The duo spent time chatting to headmaster, Dr Andrew Daniel, and batting coach Steve James, an Old Monmothian and former England and Glamorgan opener.

The match illustrated the exciting partnership between Monmouth School for Boys and Glamorgan.

It was launched last year when the school played in a flagship match against a Wales youth team at Sophia Gardens.

And the cricketers at Monmouth School for Boys are looking forward to returning to Glamorgan's headquarters for the 100-ball Welsh Schools Day on Wednesday June 26.

The school's picturesque Sports Ground will also be the setting for Glamorgan Seconds' three-day friendly against Worcestershire, starting on Tuesday August 27 (11am).