First, after trailing throughout to English visitors Cirencester who had obviously come to Chippenham to notch up a win on the Saturday before Christmas, a last minute surge by the Monmouth pack snatched victory from them to secure a 12-10 win. On Boxing Day at the Sports Ground, after the Druids had slogged out a close win away at Usk in the morning, a large crowd saw a typical derby where finesse gave way to blood and guts to provide the usual stirring game. Usk having taken the lead with a penalty kick before half-time were giving Monmouth a run for their money well into the second half with neither side giving any quarter, when up popped (literally) the strapping figure of second row John Powell to snatch the ball from the air to touch down 8feet down on the ground at his feet. Matt King had followed up a deep kick to put the Usk left wing under pressure, holding firmly onto his leg. In desperation at his predicament, he answered the call of his full back and tried to throw an overhead pass over Monmouth’s own man-mountain failing to understand how agile he can be. The ensuing five points swung the balance and became the winning score in an intriguing, dogged but sporting battle. That is if one overlooks the many skirmishes that punctuated play but without serious repercussions for anyone. And so to the 29 th and a return to the reality of the Asda League against Machen in the worst playing conditions this season. Despite the days of winds and heavy rain the pitch looked excellent for all of ten minutes although the rain did desist for the start. The referee had questioned the wisdom of both playing in Royal blue with coloured cutaways and the fact that he controlled the game so well when players even resorted to tackling members of their own team because of the all embracing muddy confusion, was a great credit to him. Monmouth dominated the first half territorially against the slight slope and the wind, failing several times to convert pressure on the visitors’ line into points. Mistakes were inevitable because of the greasy conditions and it was from a long kick downfield after only 13 minutes that Monmouth failed to safely kill that Machen pounced over the line to notch up the opening seven point lead, and on almost their first significant incursion. But despite this it was all Monmouth playing in an expansive and reasonably controlled manner only to fall at the last hurdle on several occasions apart from one of many rampaging runs by tight head prop Russell Hoggins following a play which first went left and then came back right when recycled at the ruck, to narrow the score to 5-7. Half-time came and one wondered if the best of the conditions had passed and with it the chances of overtaking Machen, but Coach Ian Seymour had obviously instilled the determination needed to battle on with regular stops to clean out muddy eyes and tend to weary joints. The Machen fly-half having failed with a penalty kick just two minutes into the second half, but successfully and often pegged back Monmouth with some fine line kicks deep into the corners. Clean jerseys soon turned brown and the determined climb back began this time despite a fierce downpour. First, back row substitute Adam Seymour had the strength to force his way over after only 11 minutes to take the lead 10-7, and then after an attacking kick to the visitors’ corner scrum-half Gareth Morgan completed a move just five minutes later by diving through a gap to stretch the score by a further five points. Kicking was a problem with such slippery ground but flanker Dave Morgan took things into his own hands with a deep run into Machen territory. His brother Gareth was up in support but the transfer of the ball eluded him. Following a speedy clear out by the Monmouth pack, Dave Morgan tried again and this time ran a good thirty yards to score under the posts to provide the opportunity for wing Dave Brace to cap a good game by adding the two points conversion for a final score of 22-7. Inclement though the weather was the hardy band of spectators were entertained for a full 80 minutes with Monmouth shooting back to second in the table, admittedly because of some other teams being unable to play. Monmouth is lucky to have such a good playing surface but there will be a few prayers said this week for less rain to ensure next week’s game against Nantyglo goes ahead k.o. 2.30p.m. |
Three wins at home over the Christmas holiday set Monmouth up for a good New Year, they hope especially if their luck remains as good as during some of the recent games.