Monmouth rugby just failed to take the scalp of North Wales Champion side Mold in the first round of the Konica Minolta Welsh Cup. A missed penalty in the last minutes of the game condemned the Monmouth team to a narrow 34-33 away defeat. Monmouth gave great account of themselves in this thrilling all action cup tie, pushing the impressive Mold side all the way. Mold playing with the wind advantage in the first half, were quick to show their credentials, having been undefeated last year in winning the North Wales Championship. Following an early exchange of penalties by both sides, it was Mold who, after 10 minutes, seized on a loose clearance kick by Monmouth to launch a counter attack from their own half, a move that involved most of their back line and resulted in their Llanelli bound full-back scoring a try under the posts, which he then went on to convert. After 17 minutes is the turn of the Mold forwards to demonstrate both strength and organisation to score a try following a drive from a short range line-out. The conversion making the score 17-3. With the long journey now run out, the Monmouth team tightened up on the early loose play. The forwards began to take control of phases of play through close driving runs by Mike Griffiths, flanker Matt Hurst and prop Russell Hoggins. On 30 minutes following a line-out on the Mold 22m line both forwards and backs combined to set up several phases of play before putting hooker Mark Jones in for a try converted by Dave Croudace. At this stage the Mold side looked rattled with the Monmouth side maintaining pressure. On the 38 th minute another charging run by Mike Griffiths gave opportunity to feed Spud Davies wide out to show both pace and flair in outstripping the Mold defence from the 40m line before unselfishly feeding inside to the supporting wing Tom Baker who scored under the posts for another converted try. With the score at half-time 17-17, Monmouth knew they had the ability to cause an upset. The concentration levels of the Monmouth side fell off early in the second half, missed tackles and again some loose kicking resulting in Mold re-establishing a lead through both a try and conversion. Monmouth were able however to keep in touch through another well struck penalty by outside half Dave Croudace. Mold, having know regained some composure extended the lead further with well taken set piece moves to allow first the Mold wing to score a try quickly followed by their centre. With the score at 34-23 it was again of great credit to the Monmouth side, with fresh legs of Matt Edwards, Ollie Grey, Slim Ricketts and Stacey Edwards, that the team fought back. Two penalties by Dave Croudace on 25 and 30 minutes was followed by a try for wing Dave Brace who held on to a kick through by Anthony Lane to run in from over 40m. The successful conversion maintained Dave Croudace’s 100% record. It was however in the final minute of the game that with the score standing at 34-33 a penalty award from 35m was missed by Dave to the delight and relief on the home support. The disappointed travelling Monmouth supporters were however appreciative of the efforts of their team and are encouraged for what will surely be a competitive league campaign ahead. Next week Monmouth play their first home league match against Crumlin. Kick-off is 2:30pm on Monmouth Sports Ground.
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