Monmouth 1st XV shrugged off the loss of Huw Campbell, their casualty of the previous week who instead cheered from the sidelines, to beat Blaina 29-21 in an extremely hard fought but sporting game at the Sports Ground.

Choosing to play against the elements Monmouth were soon on the defensive as Blaina immediately used the strong downfield wind to gain territory, but as a Blaina Committee man said after the game, the team that wanted it most won, and so it proved.

The tackling was immense as well as the hunger for the ball and the first scoring example of this was when Gareth Morgan chased after a kick ahead so fast that the visiting full back completely miskicked an attempted fly hack into touch leaving the Monmouth left wing an ultimately easy try which Jason Forrest converted to bring the score to 7-0 after only ten minutes.

Blaina who deserve their second place in the league were suitably stirred by this setback to be in range of a penalty goal thanks to the first of many Monmouth indiscretions but which they missed despite the kindly wind.

Play was vigorous and even and Monmouth were digging in deep to claw back the yardage repeatedly gained through deep kicks, and the possession turned over from time to time by tactically naïve adventurous home team moves.

But it could not last and Blaina eventually forced their way over to level the scores after another ten minutes.

Monmouth remained as passionate and took play back to the Blaina line and following some powerful scrummaging which was unsettling the visitors, the Monmouth No 8 picked up and with a twisting movement dived over the line for an unstoppable try which remained unconverted.

Play continued in a well regulated way by the excellent referee, but it was Monmouth which continued to transgress, allowing the Blaina fullback and place kicker three successful penalties before half-time thus edging the visitors ahead 12-13. But against such a dominant wind this might not have been enough provided Monmouth played the right game in the second half.

The team talk had been sound and within five minutes of the re-start, Morgan was again to score a more conventional try this time with Forrest adding the extra points and after 20 minutes adding a further three points from a penalty which brought a breath of relief all around because he was certainly not having his best kicking day.

But coaches can only advise on tactics and Monmouth started to wilt a little as Blaina began their fight back. First they scored a penalty and at 22-16 were looking a reasonable bet for securing a close finish. But then following a storming break downfield by man of the match scrum half Taylor, having grubbered ahead and over the line, prop Paul Stockley was up in excellent support to dive on the ball but was illegally impeded by a Blaina defender. The referee who was right on the spot had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which Forrest was pleased to convert for the full seven points to move Monmouth into a 29-16 lead.

Blaina now had fifteen minutes to try to recover the situation and to their credit threw everything they had into the cause. Monmouth defended stoutly although some legs began to weaken. Substitutions were made by both sides and then home supporters’ nerves began to jangle when Blaina eventually breached the home defences but critically missed what should have been a relatively easy kick into the now much lessened wind.

The remaining eight point difference gave Monmouth hope and they played their hearts out for the last few minutes to deny Blaina the spoils. With scrum half finally yellow-carded for his final act of committed defence, (spoiling this time actually through sheer eagerness), to see players like prop Julian Powell forcing a touch in the Blaina corner after following up a good forty yards to maintain the necessary match winning pressure was a delight to behold.

Blaina could not complain as Monmouth proved they are among the best in the league on that display, so it is fervently hoped that their equally successful second team, The Druids, can pull off a similar result in their Ivor Jones Cup semi-final this Thursday at the Sports Ground, kick-off 5.30p.m. A goodly crowd is expected there to see it.

Whilst the 1st XV play Caldicot away next Saturday in the penultimate league match of the season, an early return is planned to set about celebrating the contribution the two star ‘Kiwis’, fly-half Jason and flanker Luke, have made to the team this season with a Disco at the Clubhouse before their long journey home next week. Thank you lads, much of our success this season has been due to the fine example you have set on the park! Safe journey and a permanent welcome back here whenever you can make it.