The extent to which Saturday’s referee at Cardiff High School Old Boys insisted upon laying down ground rules before the game for spectators did not bode well, and after numerous re-set scrums in the first five minutes, it was clear that there would be many more interventions and much disappointment to come.

As usual at this venue the game was vigorous but clean and briefly Monmouth glimmered long enough for second row John Powell to cross the line only to be denied a good try by an unsighted referee.

Whether this upset his elder brother or not, the very next time that Monmouth looked likely to score from an easy penalty, a punch was thrown by the prop and the referee reversed the kick, making it a whole fifteen minutes before the next significant incident when Monmouth were cut to fourteen men upon the sin-binning of Powell for a further transgression.

Disciplinary matters and the referee apart, Monmouth had enough possession to be well clear of the home team but instead they were lucky to go in at halftime three points to nil up from a Ben Berry penalty kick in the thirty fifth minute.

With the wind and sun now to their advantage the floodgates should have opened up for the visitors when Berry took them a further three points ahead from another penalty kick a mere five minutes into the second half, but the Cardiff side began to claw their way back into the game and when Monmouth back row forward Morgan knocked on with the line at his mercy from a pushover try the home team confidence began to blossom.

Powell then left the field from an injury sustained to his jaw and the possession declined still more.

Cardiff pulled back to 6-6 with two kicks of their own and yet Monmouth despite the reduced possession still seemed to have the pace in their backs to outflank the Cardiff side but it was not to be.

Despite fumbling a few earlier opportunities, left wing Morgan created an opening with his sheer pace and when challenged, kicked ahead for his support Taylor to run on to, only to be penalised for an apparent offside which was crucial with a try all but certain.

This further disheartened the Monmouth players despite yet another Berry penalty soon after this and it was therefore no surprise when Cardiff drew level with another penalty of their own. The remaining fifteen minutes saw both sides trying their hardest to capitalise on territorial positions obtained largely through kicks into space but there were to be no further scores and Monmouth knew they had dropped two important and achievable league points rather than having gained one for the draw.

The season is still young and despite its first rain, pitches are still firm and suited to the pace that Monmouth undoubtedly have amongst their backs, but it would be nice to see it utilised fully if only to bring some cheer to their long suffering supporters and their dogged forwards.
Another away game next week sees a visit to Pontllanffraith with Crumlin at home on the following 14th November. In the meantime the only obvious highlight on the skyline is the remaining World Cup matches and particularly the cross border battle between Wales and England at 10am on Sunday 9 November when breakfast will be available At the Club house for those wishing to support their team.