‘The Irons’ have been improving, often at Monmouth’s expense, for the past few seasons, and so the visitors knew they would have to make their tackles if they were not to be over-run again. And this they manfully did even if they were to find themselves 24 points down inside the first half an hour of play. Monmouth contested well up front and especially in the line-out, where the height of Griffiths helped, and whilst the backs, made slightly make-shift by the absence of some regulars, tackled their opposite numbers with determination, the Monmouth defence struggled to cope with the stretching support play of the home team whch meant that last ditch tackles were often to no avail particularly as far as the rampaging Tredegar open-side was concerned. Indeed, if Monmouth had not achieved as much possession and territory as they did, the score might have been a veritable landslide, and just when they were hoping to build upon their Boxing Day success at Usk to launch the second half of their league season, the record will show they still have only three points to their credit. On a cold but chilly day, and after a slow drive past Abergavenny’s seemingly endless roadworks, the dye was cast within five mintes of the kick off when Monmouth conceded the ball not for the last time for a turnover and Tredegar punished them at the other end with an unconverted try. The cohesion and pace of the home team backs was obvious by now and the worst thing one could do was kick the ball away to start a counter-attack. Sadly that was what Monmouth next did and despite resolute tackling their were overlapped for a try far out on the left which this time was converted for a 12-0 lead after ten minutes. Tredegar were now being slowed somewhat by the drive of the Monmouth forwards and it was another 20 minutes before there was another seven point setback which finally stirred Monmouth into a determined and long awaited comeback. Hirst who leads by example charged towards the posts halted only by a high tackle the intent of which everyone saw but the referee. Luckily the injury was shrugged off and Monmouth declined the certain three points and drove for the line instead only to lose the ball as was a common feature of Monmouth’s game. But the offensive continued and whilst fly half Adams was the next to be pole-axed after his most convincing start for some time, scrum-half Morgan sniped his way over for the first of Monmouth’s tries for a converted try and a 24-7 half-time score. Hopes of a second half recovery were soon dashed though, when Tredegar supported their break up the right wing to stretch the lead to 24 points again only four minutes into the half. Tredegar supporters had cause to cheer again inside another five minutes when their team were to engineer yet another overlap for a further seven points. Various substitutions stiffened up Monmouth’s game and it was not long before they were pressing hard enough to tackle the defending full back in goal but Morgan was soon able to scamper around their defending players for a try near the posts. 38-14 still gave Monmouth some hope with 25 minutes to go but try as they might, and despite the bulk of the possession it was a full 15minuted before they had to be held up on the line after a strong drive towards it. Tredegar rallied and the last 10 minutes were stirring and end to end, although sadly it was a knock-on by promising debutant Leyshon which was to prove the last deciding turnover of the game with another, this time, five points conceded to Tredegar for a 43-14 drubbing by a side who were able to make much better use of their chances. Talywain visit the Sports Ground next Saturday for yet another ‘must win ‘ game at 2.30pm whilst off the pitch plans are well advanced for the visit to the Clubhouse by Gwent Dragons managers and players at 7.30 for pm on Tuesday 17 January for a public Open Forum for which entrance will be free. February’s Dinner with Phil Bennett and comedian Mick Miller is already a sell-out but the planned England v Wales luncheon still has a few spaces for 4 February. Details available via the Clubhouse or 01600712309.
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