“There was seasonal spirit aplenty on display at Usk on Boxing Day where a large crowd saw Monmouth run out convincing 20-5 winners. The game was so hard fought and yet good natured that the crowd enjoyed every minute of it even when the rain turned to a torrent and did its best to destroy the spectacle.

Monmouth captain Davies lost the toss as is becoming usual but despite playing into the elements as a result, Monmouth were soon throwing the ball around and using their increasing forward team-work and their three-quarters pace to allow full-back Ventor to cut through the increasing Usk gaps to score inside six minutes.

In only a few more minutes Forrest had kicked a penalty for an 8-0 lead and then Ventor outflanked the opposing defence again on the far right to create a bit of a hill for the home team to climb.

The Monmouth pack was fairly dominant in the scrums by now and with the increasingly muddy conditions and handling errors there was more opportunity to wear down the Usk forwards, but Usk don’t give in easily and began to play to their rolling maul strengths, whilst rising to the challenge and their crowd’s exhortations.

Several times they neared the Monmouth line which was stoutly defended but the clearing kicks to touch made little distance given the conditions, ensuring that Monmouth stayed penned inside their own 22 metres line.

The pressure eventually told on 30 minutes when half way out on the left-hand side under a pile of bodies the referee was on hand to spot the Usk touch-down. Their kick failed too but it was no surprise given the by now torrid weather.

Half-time was much deserved by both sides who had thrown themselves into one another in attack and defence with great vigour and none moreso than the opposing back rows and half backs. Overall team commitment was so excellent that it would be invidious to try to single out individuals for a mention. Perhaps they should be let loose on Christmas celebrations more often?

Danger time now though for Monmouth as a refreshed Usk side set about trying to force their way back into contention, but inside ten minutes it was effectively game, set and match, when young left-winger Coates showed off his poise and pace to all the club-house touchline spectators as he ran a full 55 yards untouched, to score the final score of the day for a 20-5 lead.

Substitutes came and went with little disruption other than surges of increased vigour, apart that is for Johnny Powell who relished the opportunity but sadly twisted his lower leg badly enough to taken to hospital with a suspected fracture of his fibula. It will be a shame if he is side-lined for long as this has been one of his best of many seasons with the undoubted lift that it brings to the side when he plays.

The referee kindly blew up a good five minutes early because the conditions were so dire that players and spectators alike were increasingly in danger of hypothermia with little prospect of any further scores even if the teams had played on past New Year.

A fair result in a clean hard game despite the weather and a credit to both Clubs in trying to maintain this long-standing Boxing Day tradition was the most commonly expressed view in the warmth of the Club-house afterwards.

This coming Saturday brings a rare home fixture when they take on top of the table Bargoed at 2.30p.m. A good crowd should provide the encouragement Monmouth need to build on their recent quality successes. See you there as part of your New Year’s resolution?

But if you cannot make that date don’t forget to diary the Max Boyce Anniversary Dinner on Friday 23 January!