Because of the impending international clash between Wales and England, there were no scheduled Saturday games for Monmouth, and so a 'flood-lit friendly' was arranged at Cinderford between their 'A' team and Monmouth's on the Friday night.

And what a game it was with Monmouth turning out winners having scored five tries to the home team's three. Play was vigorous and fluid throughout, with the highlight being a sparkling hat-trick of tries by newly-wed South African David Venter, who has promised much since his arrival at the club in late autumn, but has been thwarted by some lack of confidence and untimely injuries until playing on the particularly large Cinderford pitch which favours pace, determination and vision.

He was not alone as his fellow backs, Brace and Morgan also carved their way clear to the line after the hard working and very mixed pack gained more than their share of possession much to the disappointment of the relatively large crowd of local supporters despite their appreciation of the way in which both sides gave of their best.

It was hard yet clean and the score alternated for much of the first half until the first of Venter's tries to make the half-time score 7-17.

The second half was just as eventful with the first yellow card ever for stalwart Prewett for a technical offence only three minutes after appearing as a substitute No. 8. Perheps with hindsight, someone should have told him of the general team warning given by the referee prior to his albeit brief appearance on the field of play.

Equally significant was Brace realising that the kicking tee did not help his accuracy. Reversion to a good old-fashioned earth mound on which to mount the ball led to nine points from his boot with three conversions and a penalty in addition to his opening try from this full-back who rarely can be said to have a quiet game.

Cinderford plugged away and were first to score in the second half but Monmouth, playing up the hill kept up the pressure capped by two closing converted tries for Venter after Cinderford tried hard t6o come back with another try.

Encouraging though this blend of young and old was in achieving an eventual 19-34 result against this good Forest club, hopes were high in the bar afterwards for a repeat defeat of England the following day, but we now know how false the dawn can sometimes be.

But at least it was fun all around and next week it is back to the league coal-face at Bedlinog in the league!