Not even a beautiful autumnal day on the very edge of Snowdonia as well as a night out on the town could persuade a full Monmouth 1 st XV to make the long journey north-west to Bethesda last Saturday. But those who did travel could have pulled off a surprise. The depleted scrum was tight and gave Bethesda a good testing but other areas of their game let them down. A succession of missed tackles and a dodgy line-out were crucial and allowed the home side the ball they needed for their pacey backs and an aggressive back row to manage four tries to Monmouth’s one for an end result of 5-24. Monmouth’s youngsters took yet another step forward in developing as a team, but inexperience visibly showed with the number of times players were left punching the ground with frustration after being deprived of the killing tackle they had hoped to make or the score that might have been theirs when attacking. An early converted try could have dented their confidence badly but the thirty minutes thereafter was very even with Monmouth growing in cohesion all the while. True they were helped by spilt ball and over eager play by Bethesda but despite a late unconverted try making it 12-0 at half-time, hopes were still high of rewards for the visitors efforts. Bethesda began the second half with more vigour and it took a wonderful try saving tackle from No.8 Griffiths covering back to keep Monmouth in the game at that stage. Things were picking up and even though the Bethesda defence often seemed more akin to swarming ants, Dave Brace made a superb break and long run into enemy territory only to run out of support as Bethesda combined to prevent Monmouth from scoring the try that could have begun to turn the game around. Several substitutions were made, not all for the better even though everyone tried their best, and Bethesda’s newly wed Australian full-back used his talent to boot Monmouth fifty yards beck up the field after they had threatened. From this platform a breaking through in midfield led to the third try after twenty minutes and with a 17-0 deficit, suddenly Monmouth began to raised their game. Substitute Leyshon and old campaigner Scourfield led from the front by taking short penalties on as well as picking up and driving loose balls. A couple of good opportunities went begging and Bethesda feeling the danger then scored the best try of the game with a multi-handled and supported try under the posts to take the game beyond Monmouth’s reach. And yet Monmouth were not yet beaten, in spirit at least because with 10 minutes to go, another substitute, Matt Edwards used his height and physique to crash over from a succession of short penalties. Oh, dear, what might have been if Monmouth had displayed such aggression throughout, but at least they had by now worked up the head of steam (and thirst) to enjoy their overnight stay in the metropolis that is Caernarfon. Back to the rigours of the League this Saturday when they entertain Talywain at Home at 2.30p.m. Why not come and support them because when this team of youngsters click, they could well be devastating, and some rousing cheers in their support could be the final trigger that is required?
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