Montgomery Debut Ends In Defeat At Cardiff
25 July 2014
Robbie Montgomery made his Gloucestershire debut on a disappointing night at the SWALEC Stadium as Glamorgan clinched a place in the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old seam bowler was registered as a first team player shortly before the game after impressing with ball and bat during a trial period with the club.
But, while he hit a six off only the second delivery he faced at the end of Gloucestershire's innings, it was not to be a winning first appearance for Montgomery, who later conceded 50 from three overs.
The Welsh county eased to an eight-wicket victory in just 12 overs after restricting their visitors to a modest 108-8 from their 20, Benny Howell top-scoring with 26.
Jacques Rudolph (44 not out) and Murray Goodwin (41 not out) saw Glamorgan to their target after Tom Smith had claimed two early wickets.
Gloucestershire Director of Cricket John Bracewell offered no excuses for the heavy defeat, admitting: "It was very disappointing to leave the competition with our poorest performance in it.
"You cannot defend 108. It's as simple as that. Up front with the batting we were poor and we struggled to get the game back from that point, even to be competitive."
The result meant the hosts clinched fourth place in the South Division at the expense of Somerset, despite their win over Middlesex at Taunton. Gloucestershire, who began the competition with a two-point penalty, finished eighth.
Taunton-born Montgomery, who previously played for Somerset IIs, impressed against Gloucestershire in the Second XI T20 competition and has since been with the club on trial.
He was initially named in a squad of 12 to face Glamorgan and his name was on the team list announced at the toss.
For more details of the game click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
Gloucestershire: M.Klinger (capt), A.Gidman, I.Cockbain, C.Dent, H.Marshall, B.Howell, A.Rouse (wkt), J.Taylor, T.Smith, D.Payne, R.Montgomery.
