Vets v Berry Hill (Home) 10 October 2010
24-22 Win
Monmouth Vets ‘In the Pink’
Monmouth’s Festival of Rugby last Sunday was enhanced by their Veterans XV in their striking new pink and blue strip, kindly sponsored by MGM Sports, beating near neighbours Berry Hill 24-22.
In front of the biggest crowd Chippenham has seen in years, the teams to a man did them proud with spectacular scores and good hard but clean graft from individuals who knew exactly what to do even if it was at a slightly lesser pace than they probably achieved in their prime.
Even local MP David Davies turned out to his credit, although a bit of coaching would be advisable if his rugby prowess is to match his well known athletics and boxing pursuits.
Monmouth played the better in terms of running three-quarter play in the first half, with full back Dave Brace gaining two tries and ‘Dapper’ Vaughan on the left wing, another. In return Berry Hill rumbled over for a try of their own early on. The score at the turn was 19-5.
Veterans game or no, the referee kept form control, and even ‘yellow-carded’ a visiting player for a ruck offence, when everyone knows veterans rugby is far cry from the modern game requirement for tacklers to ‘roll away’ or ‘stay on your feet’!
The spirit was excellent throughout and Berry Hill despite a smaller squad fought back in the second half with three tries in a fifteen minute period to take the lead 19-22 but Monmouth were not to be outdone on such a fine day for rugby, with Matt Churches running in a try on the left with just minutes to go.
The 24-22 lead was a tenuous one given the determination of Berry Hill but the defence held firm and just prior to the final whistle Dave Brace again broke from deep but after linking with a support player who would have been in the clear, play was called back for an apparent forward pass. The crowd thought otherwise but payers all know the referee is always right, so everyone went off for a shower and a bit of socialising together instead.
The wonderful autumn sunshine gave Monmouth Vets a reason for feeling ‘in the pink’ but with their stunning new colours and a win on their first outing this season as well, - roll on the next excuse for getting the boots out of the sack and the application of lashings of wintergreen!
Tries: D.Brace (2), 'Dapper' Vaughan, M.Churches
Conv: R.Frost (2)
