Druids v Caldicot (Away) 04 September 2010
42-0 Win
Druids crush Caldicot
The new rugby season got underway for Monmouth Druids with a resounding victory over Caldicot. To make their 42 points to nil win all the more emphatic, it was achieved on opposition territory. The success was very satisfactory for the Druids, if only for the manner of their defeat in the last match between the two sides.
Fielding a strong unit with an experienced bench, the visitors looked to have a good mix of talent with some promise for the new campaign.
The kick off saw the Druids have the better of the play but Caldicot missed the opportunity to go ahead when they missed a 30metre penalty goal. The Druids responded by kicking a penalty goal themselves through Centre Dave Brace. A further Druids score soon followed from a lineout close to the Caldicot line. Second Row Mattie Edwards won the ball and a driving maul developed which resulted in fellow Second row Andy Boxall touching down.Dave Brace kicked the conversion from the
touchline.
Brace was in fine kicking form as again he kicked a penalty to increase the Druids lead. He was proving a torment to the Caldicot defence as he helped create another score for the visitors. A high kick from Brace bounced wickedly, as only a rugby ball can, and Centre Mathew Churches gathered the ball above his head and he sprinted over the Caldicot line to score an unconverted try.
So at half time a 18 points lead to show for a domineering display. At the restart, again it was Brace who stretched the lead by kicking another penalty goal.
It was the Belgian influence in the Druids side who heaped more misery on the Caldicot team in the form of wing Herve Dehareng. Some slick passing saw him dive over the try line some 15 metres from the corner flag. Dave Brace placed the ball on the kicking tee to take the conversion. As he started his run up, the ball toppled off the tee, but Brace quickly picked up the ball and dropped kicked it between the posts.
Caldicot retaliated and took play into the Druids 22 metre area and tried to move the ball across their backline. A dropped pass was kicked through deep into the home side half and was gathered by their full back who inturn was tackled. Dehareng was up in support and he gathered the ball and dived over the line.The unerring Brace kicked the conversion again from the touchline.
The Druids had time to score another try from their wing Matt Lovatt. He was on the end of an overlap deep in his own half. He sprinted down the wing, outflanked the defence and ran behind the posts for a fine try. Once more Dave Brace converted to complete the misery for Caldicot.
A fine performance, some mistakes but a great start to the new campaign.Brace made a real difference but a sound scrum and good catching at the lineout was the basis for success.
Tries: A.Boxall, M.Churches, H.Dehareng (2), M Lovatt
Conv: D.Brace (4)
Pen: D.Brace (3)
