Three tries apiece made for a thrilling and even game between these two teams from opposing ends of the table but it was the marginal differences in goal kicking achievement that saved the day for Newport with a last minute penalty sealing Monmouth’s fate. What might have been if Monmouth had taken all their chances will now never be known but certainly at least two try scoring opportunities went begging. It was always going to be a hard task following the withdrawal of arguably four of the most impressive players from last week’s upbeat victory over St Peter’s, and so it seemed when after a full 20 minutes of a ding-dong, to and fro battle the visitors broke up the right hand side of the field and just when tackles were vital Monmouth’s cover was out-thought by the opposing full back to give them a 0-7 lead. Monmouth rallied as a consequence and within four minutes went over courtesy of scrum half Gareth Morgan making an incisive break and eventually passing to right wing Stuart Williams for their first try. Sadly the kick was beyond Croudace. This try fired the home team and powerful lock John Powell burst through a gap for supporting scrum half Morgan to take the move on. When tackled the pack won the ball at the breakdown and lock Matt Edwards threw his bulk over the line to take the lead for the first time. But this time Croudace missed an easier conversion which ultimately was to prove crucial. Newport saw the danger signals and were soon up the other end where their determination saw them through some sloppy tackling for their second converted try. Tensions were growing now and some gamesmanship at a scrum caused Monmouth to react resulting in a yellow card for one from each team just before half time. Monmouth began the second half in a very determined way and were soon camped on Newport’s line and from a scrum No8 Mathew Hurst drove over for a try which this time was within Croudace’s range bringing a 17-14 lead. The game again see-sawed several times and both sides were forced to defend desperately, still at a furious pace. Passions were rising and soon it was necessary for the referee to punish Monmouth’s young and vigorous flanker, Michael Griffiths, with a yellow card for over vigorous play. As if to even things up the opposing flanker was soon removed from the field for handling in the ruck and the battle continued at a pace. Monmouth were now in the ascendancy and pressed the Newport line again and again resulting eventually in a penalty for offside in the middle of the field which Croudace converted for a 20-14 lead with a long 17 minutes still to go. Monmouth were battling hard but Newport had a lot to lose and within a further ten minutes they were to tie up Monmouth’s defence in mid-field creating an overlap on the right which the desperate coverers were unable to fully defend and Newport crept to a one point deficit. The drop-out was too full with the ball going straight out of play, handing the advantage back to Newport. Similar mistakes were now occurring and it was not too long before the visitors drove down the middle of the field again through tiring despairing tackles. The referee, to the horror of the home crowd, gave an ‘offside at the ruck’ decision which he explained rather differently after the match, when the ever sharp Morgan appeared to pick up a loose ball to speed away from danger. However, the kick in front of the posts that ensued made it 20-22 in the last minute and despite getting back up to the 22 yard line a Newport clearance into touch brought the final whistle and some very dejected faced after yet another stirring, whilst losing, performance. Chepstow away at 7.30pm on Friday is the next and increasingly desperate contest which Monmouth must win if they are to avoid relegation. On recent performances, they deserve to!
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