Although it is often argued that players are expected to play too much rugby, in Monmouth's case last Saturday the opposite proved to be the case.

Despite a week's rest due to bad weather Monmouth were distinctly out of sorts in their away game with Ynysddu which they were eventually to lose luckily by no more than 15-11.

Monmouth's much vaunted pack for once met their equal and this gave a distinct advantage to the home team's strong fast-running backs. Monmouth received far less ball than usual with their back row being sucked in to the forward exchanges leaving ample undefended space around the wide Ynysddu pitch.

Not helped by apparent 'jet-lag' from the 37 mile journey, Monmouth were twice forced to stand behind their own posts inside the first half hour to be 12-0 down, with one try a particularly classic three-quarter move over a full 80 yards.

A further set back during this period had been the sin-binning of a Monmouth forward for a particularly unthinking handling of the ball under the very nose of the referee. He has remained nameless in the hope that he at least took on board the criticisms of his team-mates after the game even if he claimed not to have heard the referee's distinctly audible warnings.

Opportunities were missed, not least of all when Monmouth ran from a long way out but with only one man to beat and the wing supporting him on his right, full-back Brace chose to cut back inside into the relieved arms of the lone defender. For someone newly back from injury however, his speed and determination were encouraging, even if his recovery time could be helped by an add-on lung at times!

Croudace fortuitously clawed back three points from a penalty for a 3-12 change around.

The coach was scathing in his half time talk and despite now playing into an even more fresh (and cold) wind which Ynysddu were inevitably going to exploit, Monmouth bucked up and Brace ran in a very long try in the tenth minute, well supported by Davies, Morgan and Hollick.

The kick was missed but Croudace was to make amends on twenty minutes with a well taken penalty to bring the score to a still fairly undeserved 11-12, following the sin-binning of an Ynysddu prop who was sin-binned for his footwork on a prone Edwards who had defended heroically throughout,

True Monmouth had perked up a little in the second half and Ynysddu were noticeably tiring, but despite several substitutions by Monmouth the nail was driven into their coffin when the Ynysddu fly half dropped a goal to take them a further three points ahead to 11-15.

Monmouth heads went down, players and spectators alike thanking their lucky stars that the score board looked as respectable as this despite what had been a fair drubbing on their trip to the valleys. Unfortunately this was not best preparation for some of the apparently tougher games coming up over the next month, unless the players can use this as the catalyst they need to take on high flying Bargoed who visit Monmouth this coming Saturday, kick off 2.30p.m.