‘ Monmouth’s eagerness to achieve a win almost paid off on Saturday at the Sports Ground when they took on league ‘high-flyers’ Trinant in what both teams said after the end of the game had been their hardest match this season. Keeping going right to the very end, Monmouth mounted an attack in the eleventh minute of extra time on Trinant’s left flank from near the half way line and right wing Brace scorched in through two despairing tackles but sadly the kick was too far out for fullback Berry convert and seal a draw with what proved to be the final kick of the game. Despite all their efforts throughout a fast and furious 80 minutes they had fallen just short of the league points for the umpteenth time this season, giving their more illustrious opponents a big scare in the process. But it was down to Monmouth’s own failings yet again that they did not achieve the result they so much deserve and need. Within a few minutes of the start scrumhalf Morgan darted over for the opening try of a game that was to see-saw throughout. Berry converted and when he added a further three points from a penalty after nearly another try, the shock was plain to see on the visitors’ faces. Trinant were not to be out done but could hardly have expected to be gifted their next two scores in the way they were. After managing to clear a ball they fumbled over their own line, from the subsequent line-out and a missed tackle in the centre of the field, they clawed back seven of the ten point deficit; and when Berry running out of defence signalled an inside pass, Trinant were ready and waiting, snapping up an interception for an easily converted try. Pressure galore Monmouth now generated over the next 15 minutes gaining first a penalty in response and then when Trinant had a forward yellow-carded for rucking nowhere near the man, despite all their efforts they could only achieve a further penalty to regain the lead by half-time 16-14. The second half was going to be ‘no holds barred’ and when Monmouth dropped the ball at the kick off, one feared the worst. But they recovered their composure quickly and were the first to score in the second half by yet another penalty and then again another for handling in the ruck to stretch the lead to 19-14. Never known for learning by their mistakes Monmouth dropped the ball from the re-start, but the superb driving play and spirit of many of the Monmouth forwards kept them in the game as the Trinant pack and half backs pressed hard whenever they could. What Monmouth could not (or would not) do was to use the dying sun as an aid to pressure the Trinant defence, preferring to try and work down the left hand side of the field where the vociferous Trinant supporters were creating a storm to rally their team, not that they needed much encouragement because they have ambitions of their own and another determined attack led to a penalty for a Monmouth infringement and now a mere two point advantage. The pressure was returned aplenty and centre Davies forced his way over the line only for the ball to be held up by the visiting open side flanker. Then further pressure paid off with Trinant becoming desperate in defence and having another man sent to the bin. This should have been the time for Monmouth to stretch things wider but Trinant are nothing if not dogged and the best Monmouth could achieve at this stage was a dropped goal by Frost. Trinant responded by battering Monmouth’s line and eventually they cracked after saving their line three times in succession. The referee was well sighted and gave the try which when converted saw the balance slip the other way. Typically this is the time when Monmouth does not have the skill or direction to know what to do for the best, and after missing several opportunities to rebuff the attack they succumbed to yet another try by the tiger-ish Trinant forwards which they failed to convert. At 22-29 in arrears and heavily into a long injury time, Monmouth suddenly saw the light even though the day had darkened by then and Brace was to round off a sparkling move only for Berry to fail to even the scores with a difficult kick. Trinant were delighted to have escaped by two points. So Monmouth almost did it and against tough opponents. But will this give them the confidence in themselves if they are start playing the flowing winning ruby they have promised all season. They have not got long before the pressure of avoiding relegation will begin to cramp their style. Elsewhere there are tickets for an England v Wales luncheon to be had, following a visit by Tom Shanklin and a few spare tickets for the Phil Bennett dinner on 17 February, as well as a reasonable number of tickets available for members for the up and coming RBS 6 Nations clashes. The Stewardesses at the Club on 712309 will be able to direct enquiries in the right direction so why not get on the phone this very evening?
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