Despite being 0-17 down at half-time the second half of an exciting game saw Monmouth come back to within seven points with two minutes of ordinary time to go’ and that despite the ball bouncing back off the crossbar from a failed conversion. True the first half had been disappointing from a Monmouth perspective. The Monmouth forwards held their own as ever but the make-shift backs try as they might were no match for their better organised and faster opponents. Inside five minutes there appeared to be signs of a drubbing when Garndiffaith opened the scoring as a result of a missed tackle in midfield. Luckily their kicking was weak and the conversion failed as were several other kicks at goal during the game. The Monmouth pack tried their best, rucking and driving well at times, and only an un-penalised collapsed maul saved the visitors line fifteen minutes into the game. But ‘The Garn’ responded with some strong three-quarter running and after more missed tackles scored again and then were only temporarily prevented from doing so again by a Monmouth defender punching the ball into touch in desperation as they again went on the rampage. From the ensuing penalty they stretched the Monmouth defence and showed quicker thinking (and feet) to make the score 0-17 before half-time. True the penalty count had been 2-13 against Monmouth in the first half as the referee disliked the way the Monmouth ‘dogs’ obtained or slowed down the ball, but what now with another 40 minutes to face? Monmouth came out firing on all four cylinders but were dismayed to fall to a sucker punch. An interception with Monmouth in a three on two attacking situation put them 0-24 behind with a seeming mountain to climb. But climb away they did and after several short range attempts at battering their way over The Garn line left wing Baker, who had his best game for a while barged his way over in the corner and just as the defence were about to knock him into touch in goa, the quick thinking Morgan snatched the ball off him and dabbed it down for Monmouth’s first score. Monmouth were enthused by this and once again crossed the line with a determined drive only for the well placed referee to decree that the ball had been held up. But Monmouth kept up the pressure and with men spare outside fly-half Adams cut back inside for a 7-pointer near the posts. Only ten minutes left and still twelve points to beat, but then fate stepped in and the recent substitute 2 nd row Scourfield was harshly sin-binned for diving on what he though was a loose ball exiting a ruck. But at least the visitors again missed the ensuing kick at goal. But Monmouth were not to be outdone and the three-quarters, now linking better with the return of Brace in the centre, moved the ball wide again to Baker, who loves to set those long legs of his battering their way through tackles, which he again did to round the remaining defence to score half way out. King was unlucky with the kick because if it had not bounced back off the bar, another converted try could have won the game in the closing minutes. There was substantial extra time but The Garn had realised at long last what was happening to them and they hung out for what was probably a deserved win on the basis of their first half performance, but this stirring come-back showed how well this Monmouth side can play when everything clicks. The next test of their increasing mettle will be away at Newport HSOB next Saturday; one can hardly wait. Hot News!: Some New Zealand Ticket Returns will be available for purchase by ballot of members (old and new) at the Clubhouse this Saturday evening. Be there or miss out!
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