Monmouth had to give way to a better team losing 17-28 to Old Illtydians at the Sports Ground last Saturday. In fact it was a clean sweep by the Cardiff Club as they managed to heavily defeat a sadly weakened Druids at the same time on Chippenham. Holiday times, whether skiing or visiting Hong Kong seriously affected the number of players available, but although ‘Old Illtyds’ looked the stronger side, the 1 st XV dug in deep throughout the first half, giving the visitors’ scrummage ‘the works’ even if they lost out badly in the line-out. Immense pressure was resisted well for the first ten minutes but getting in the visitors’ half was a bigger problem. When they did a first up tackle was missed and Monmouth were punished by conceding a try half way out on the left as their defence cracked. The strong wind blowing against the kicker impeded the conversion but he made no mistake when a Monmouth player wandered off-side making the score after 33 minutes 0-8. But following a missed Monmouth penalty, the earlier transgressor was soon to make amends. At long last Monmouth were temporarily camped in their opponents’ half, and following a succession of winning rucks near the visitors’ line Monmouth achieved a score just before half-time, claimed by 2 nd row John Powell from the bottom of a pile of bodies, quickly followed by an expert kick floated in from the left by full back Matt King which narrowed the gap to 7-8. The Coach’s half time briefing stated the obvious. Monmouth desperately needed more ball to give themselves a good chance of reversing the pressure they had been under and above all they needed to maintain their concentration and discipline. Confidence lifted when Monmouth were awarded a penalty which King again confidently kicked, even if the award of the kick did not please the visiting fans after one of their players took the law into his own hands in trying to break off a hand which was restraining him. 10-8 would need some defending though as Old Illtydians came powering back. What Monmouth could not afford was to lose a player to a yellow card and yet again a Monmouth player who would probably prefer to remain anonymous on this occasion was to rise to some bait fed to him by a goading opposition full back. The signs had been there for a while and with hindsight an earlier substitution may have made an immense difference to the eventual outcome. With a successful penalty changing the score to 10-11, a fateful ten minutes playing one player down ensued. Deep relieving kicks set Monmouth back on their heels whenever they approached the visitors’ line and this tactic coupled with the increasing impact being made by the quick and powerful visiting centres brought two converted tries for Old Illtydians to stretch the lead to a daunting 10-25 by the end of the third quarter. The pressure continued on the home line and on one particular occasion a clearance from behind the line bordered on the chaotic whilst lucky. A snapped up drop-goal by Old Illtydians with only five minutes left widened the gap still further, but at least Monmouth now battle through to the end of games. Following some relieving and probing kicks of their own, and in a long and patient build up Monmouth pummelled the line. Ruck after ruck was repulsed by the visitors who are watching points differences almost as much as games won and lost, so close are tussles at the head of the table, but old head hooker Mark Jones forced his way through three defenders to score a consolation try. King crisply added the points for a 17-28 final score but one had to admit that for once the winners had deserved their win as a better team on the day. The task gets harder now for Monmouth in chasing promotion and every game becomes a ‘must win’ event as does the Druids’ visit to Garndiffaith for their Ivor Jones Cup semi-final on the evening of Wednesday 4 April. Supporters are more than encouraged to attend as the Druids have had a fine season and winning the Cup would put the cap on it. Members are equally encouraged to place their ticket orders for this Summer’s Argentina and France games because the Secretary has to forward the order for them by 30 March. Ring Pete now on 01600 860399!
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