After regular disappointing yet often undeserved reverses, Saturday was payback time, but only time will tell if it is too late. Monmouth began the game as if their very lives depended upon it and within five minutes after ruck upon ruck ‘The Rocks’ defence was finally stretched enough for scrum half Gareth Morgan to dart over with Croudace completing the task with a fine kick for a 7-0 lead. The startled visitors concentrated on getting back to basics but their biggest ally at this time was the strong wind which was playing in their favour. Deep puts drove Monmouth back time and time again but the home defence was robust until, that is, the referee penalised an obstruction which the visitors took as a scrum for their sturdy but regular threat from close quarters scrum-half to dive over for a converted try. Almost immediately Monmouth stretched The Rocks’ defence again and although they tried hard to contain the thrust by the backs on their extreme left flank, fly half Croudace squeezed in at the flag with tacklers in disarray around him. A deep kick in return behind the mis-placed Ben Berry went into touch preceding a period of intense pressure for the Monmouth defence to contain. But the home team were up for it and first flanker Ollie Grey saved the day and then No 8 Adam Seymour was harshly sin-binned for his efforts in a desperate defence. Monmouth had been nothing but determined and despite the one man shortage they drove back to the opposing line within minutes with vintage 2 nd-row John Powell completing the move, stretching his large frame over a tackle to dot the ball down inches over the line. Full back Ben Berry converted to make the score 19-7.just before half-time. Fearing a back-lash it was important the kick off was soundly fielded and Powell obliged with Croudace achieving a long touch as a result. And then disaster potentially struck as Lehmann offended in a ruck, receiving a yellow card for his troubles and gifting The Rocks a chance of come back with an easy three points. But the thirteen men remaining were not in the mood for anything other than protecting their lead and were soon back at the other end converting a penalty of their own to recover to 22-10. The team had been well served with good charges by wing Baker and forwards Hoggins and Hurst. Territorial advantage led to intense pressure on the visitors line completed by a rugged drive through bodies for the line by Baker to widen the gap to 27-10. Substitute back row player Michael Griffiths had been on the touchline champing at the bit and it was not long before he led various storming runs, eventually being rewarded by the final try of the game which again went unconverted, but the excitement was to continue. A kick ahead on the strong wind forced St Peters to touch down for a 22 yard drop-out and from the resulting kick, Monmouth again attacked on the left. Leighton Phillips’ swerving run was well supported and Gareth Morgan was forced into touch by a defence desperate to preserve some pride just two yards out. The final whistle sounded to The Rocks relief and the 32-10 lifted Monmouth hopes for the remaining challenges of the season. Playing the first three teams in the league in successive weeks is no more a challenge than having to play the two teams just above Monmouth twice each as the last four games of the season. Having despatched St Peter’s with panache, it is roll on next week when Newport HSOB are the next visitors to the Sports Ground. The others can wait until later for now.
|