With almost every Club in Wales foregoing their normal Saturday game in anticipation of viewing the televised Italy v Wales International, Monmouth with its proximity to the English border was able to organise an early kick-off with the help of Forest neighbours Drybrook and yet still be finished in time to watch the big game. But at least Monmouth was able to win its match even if the referee appeared to be prolonging the game to allow the home team to win back the advantage they had just lost a few minutes before the scheduled finish. But perhaps the most significant factor was that a large part of the team were Druids members who are used too winning ways. Certainly Gareth Rowlands the winning try scorer would wish to see it that way! On a beautiful day for playing rugby, Drybrook set off at cracking pace despite the rather cloying underfoot conditions and Monmouth had to dig in deep to keep them out. Early on, the home team all but scored when with a two man overlap on the right what proved to be a try-saving tackle caused the ball-carrier to pass the ball forward. Still Drybrook had the bulk of the territorial advantage despite Monmouth having the wind behind them but the loss of accomplished kicking fly-half Andrew Davies with a nose injury almost at the kick-off did not help in this respect. Eventually Matt King put in a deep kick from full-back, followed by another from Dave Brace. The slightly stronger, if less vigorous, visiting pack welcomed their advancement up-field and the new slim-line Russell Hoggins forced his way over from a scrum far out on the left, having the strength to twist his body free of the defenders who were trying to hold him up. Dave Brace curled the ball in to convert a difficult kick in the blustery wind for a 7-0 lead after 20 minutes. Drybrook were keen to defend their home advantage and just before the end of the 30 minute curtailed half they kicked ahead winning the chase for the touch down. Their kicker was fortunately not on form and the changeover saw a slight 5-7 lead to Monmouth. Drybrook came out firing on all cylinders in the second half making better use of the wind and led by the example of their young, yet wily and vigorous scrum-half, they were to keep Monmouth on the back foot for much of the second half. Their centres were strong and elusive runners and after some fine inter-passing from the home team Monmouth slipped behind to a second unconverted try. Considering that Monmouth were consciously ringing the changes to ensure that all 23 travelling players had a game the closer knit home team often looked the more effective, but the Druids are used to dogging it out to the end having achieved a creditable second place in their respective Pontypool and District league. And this talent once again was to count, as the last of a succession of winning rucks near the home line brought a match winning and last minute try in the right corner from a short pass to Rowlands which was to save the match with a final score of 10-12. The game was played in a good spirit and proved to be an excellent way of working up a thirst to watch the ensuing international even if it turned out to be for drowning sorrows rather than celebrating. But will one be in order this Saturday? Certainly as a border town club there is bound to someone happy with the Wales v England result which can be viewed in the club-house along with the two other Internationals and all on the same afternoon. Why not join us there? |