After a week of almost non-stop rain the Sports Ground pitch was again in remarkable condition allowing Monmouth 1st XV to fulfil their home fixture against Pontllanffraith.

Following the previous weeks disappointing loss at the hands of Cardiff HSOB, Monmouth bounced back with a far more disciplined and structured performance, seeing off a spirited Pontllanffraith side who also inhabit the top half of Division 4 east.

Pontllanffraith, taking early advantage of a stiff first half wind, took the lead after just 3 minutes of play with a well struck long range penalty kicked by their outside half Steve Baber. But Monmouth quickly replied following good driving play by the forwards allowing the ever alert scrum half Matt Taylor to snipe over in the corner. The conversion kick proved too difficult for birthday boy Jason Forrest.

Pontllanffraith then for a reason known only to them stopped using the strong wind to kick the ball down field to gain territorial advantage, played into the home team’s hands, choosing instead to run the ball which proved to be an ineffective tactic given the strong and committed Monmouth defence. Back row forward Huw Campbell particularly impressed in this respect with much hard work resulting in a high tackle count.

On twenty minutes a lineout take close to the halfway line by the ever reliable and agile Harvey Morgan was moved at pace to the Monmouth fullback Morgan who was able to outstrip the opposition defence to score close to the posts making it an easy conversion for outside half Forrest.

Both backs and forwards combined to ensure Monmouth dominated the second quarter in terms of territory, possesion and attacking play.
Bullocking runs by No8 Hoggins, ably supported by his fellow forwards,
continually punched holes through the centre of the field. Wearing down the Pontllanfraith defence in this way allowed gaps to appear which were eventually exploited again by full back Morgan who dummied his way through for another try under the posts, thus giving No. 10 Forrest his second birthday present of the day. The easy conversion brought the half time score to 19-3 and against the elements at that.

With Monmouth now playing the second half towards their favourite end and with both the lowering winter sun and wind at their backs many supporters assumed an avalanche of points. But Pontllanfraith had no intention
of rolling over and put in a spirited second half performance to restrict Monmouth to a single penalty and a well taken try scored by the ebullient and smiling wing Dave Brace who showed superb handling skills to fly over in the corner. Despiter the difficulty, kiwi, jason forrest brought his personally tally to 9 points making the final score 29-3.

The Club in fact completed a highly successful day, ratcheting up a hat-trick of home wins, with the Druids and the Youth XVs also convincingly beating Drybrook 41-10 and Cinderford 33-05 respectively. Much to re-live and celebrate in a rather packed Club-house and a good test for new Steward, Austin Docking, which he passed with flying colours.