The challenge Bargoed, the league leaders, represented for Monmouth last Saturday was always expected to be large, but to the delight of the large home crowd, despite a converted try by the visitors after only five minutes, it took them a further 57 minutes before they scored again and then through a penalty kick and a 0-10 lead, because of the way Monmouth were matching them for pace and commitment.

In fact, with a little more concentration and luck, during this period Monmouth could have scored two, if not three, tries from moves that only failed in the end for a handling error or slight over-elaboration.

But the pace was fast and furious throughout on a clear sunny day and relatively dry pitch and it was this pace that eventually saw Monmouth crack.

Bargoed had all the time shown what a good side they were with a well drilled pack and pacey forwards, although Monmouth certainly matched them in most quarters most of the time.

As time went on the speed of the game and Bargoed's strong counter-attacking ability and the referee's very particular and intrusive style started to rattle the Monmouth players more than the more experienced visitors. In the last fifteen minutes the Monmouth defence became more stretched and Bargoed managed to score three longish-distance tries, converting two of them.

A win for Bargoed was fair for a team who were undoubtedly Monmouth's betters, but a quite unjust difference in the scores given the way in which Monmouth had first threatened the visitors' line and then defended stoutly when needed. The pack was the tightest it had been for some time, the back row heroically scavenged throughout, and apart from a few worrying missed tackles, the threequarters threatened on many occasions and with greater luck would have at least got onto the score-board.

Encouragement aplenty for all concerned which is just as well as they face an away trip to Fairwater (Cardiff) next week who also are league leaders. The next 1st XV home game will be on 8 November when the visitors are Cardiff HSOB, when coincidentally Monmouth Youth XV also play St Joseph's of Cardiff in the next round of the Welsh Cup.