Not a lot to say this week for fear of being repetitive. In fact it was almost tempting to get out a previous report, change a few names and send that in to see if anyone noticed. Sadly Monmouth played their usual game, displaying flair and talent in patches but then succumbed to more spirited opponents to lose 14-22, this time, to Nantyglo. Saturday was the second half of Monmouth’s season with Nantyglo having beaten them fairly convincingly away in September, and a win was desperately needed. Within three minutes of the kick-off Monmouth cut the visiting team apart following a scrappy line-out which Phillips tidied up From his break up the left hand touch-line there followed impressive interpassing for scrum-half Morgan to go over near the posts providing an easy kick from Croudace. Following a missed penalty after the Monmouth full back had been obstructed off the ball, Nantyglo found their feet and breeched the line. The fact that the scorer was held by the ankle as he was tackled was the subject of some debate in the crowd but a fair try as far as the referee was concerned. With the score now tied at 7-7 Monmouth continued to take the game to the visitors and rounded off some considerable possession and territorial advantage with a great side stepping and swerving run by the ever lively Gareth Morgan for a try near the posts which Croudace comfortably converted. He was not so lucky with a penalty kick just before half-time so the teams turned around 14-7 when perhaps one might have hoped all the Monmouth pressure would have been turned into points on the board. Nantyglo came out the more determined and the Monmouth struck again as both big men, Hoggins and Powell, who had not dominated the line-out as in previous weeks, had to be replaced due to injury. Able though the replacements were, Nantyglo built up the pressure and began to dominate territorially. Within 15 minute of the re-start the visitors had driven over the Monmouth line. Monmouth were now less able to get their hands on the ball as the now more spirited Nantyglo forwards dogged away. Croudace was reduced to a speculative attempt at a dropped goal which missed and instead of trying to keep what ball they got in hand, players who can’t, tried to kick deep behind the Nantyglo defence only to give the ball back to them in practice. The Nantyglo pack were now always dangerous and despite some individual heroics by the Monmouth defence, the now superior team drove twice at the line only to be re-buffed but then Nantyglo’s No 8, who had a fine game forced his way over for what effectively was the winning score. With the conversion clinched and the score at 14-19 still 15 minutes to go, Monmouth rallied as best they could and the game went from end to end, although Monmouth’s loose, sometimes suicidal, passing by the backs made for spectator excitement rather than progress downfield. True Nantyglo were prevented from scoring another try and they were rather relieved to be given a kickable penalty for being tackle inside ten yards. With the score now 14-22 with mere minutes to go, Nantyglo had secured their first ‘double’ of the season at Monmouth’s expense. Monmouth now have to wait for a possible re-arranged away game at Crumlin on New Year’s Eve or the scheduled away game at Tredegar Ironsides to re-start their season. The post match news that Oakdale had beaten Crumlin makes the recovery that more pressing if relegation is not to be the result. Boxing Day brings the usual ‘friendlies’ against Usk with the Druids at home at 11am and the 1 st XV away at 2.30pm. Live entertainment off the field has been arranged for the Monday evening back in Monmouth to help complete the Christmas celebrations.
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