With both sides just below the top Asda League Division Four spot, the visit to Risca last Saturday was always expected to be difficult, and when full back Ben Berry fired a first minute kickable penalty against the post, the doom-mongers amongst the Monmouth supporters feared the worst. The opening encounters were fierce with Risca initially the stronger in the scrum as well as looking defensively strong in the centre, but hopes were lifted when Gareth Morgan, his usually nippy self, intercepted a pass and hared off down the field. When he was about to be caught near the line, a quick game of basket-ball ensued with supporting colleagues before left wing Dawid Venter nipped over to provide an easy conversion for Berry and a seven point lead for the visitors. Risca had their supporters to please and immediately returned the pressure with Monmouth adjudged off-side. The excellent boot of Risca’s fly-half clawed back three points. Monmouth responded brilliantly, pouring on the pressure and at the very moment when the whole team seemed lined up to cross the line, questionably the wrong option was taken, the ball was spilled and a Risca 2 ndrower found no opposition in a dash the full length of the field to take the score with the conversion to 10-7. As this was only the thirteenth minute it was not surprising that things steadied down for more than a quarter of an hour whereupon Risca, now struggling to contain Monmouth’s forward pressure, conceded a penalty for holding the ball on the ground making the kick easier by displaying dissent for which the referee rightly awarded another ten yards ground. But clawing back to a draw lasted only 2 more minutes when Monmouth were similarly penalised but this time for a questionable off-side at a ruck. The three points gained looked under threat as Monmouth battled back again but Risca held out until half-time including doing some distinct damage through a very late tackle to Berry who until then had made some match-turning plays. After a half-time breather, Risca kicked off and immediately left flanker Stuart Boylan feeling the need to place his body on the line to prevent Risca progress. Fortunately, the penalty was missed as there was less than a minute on the clock. Not having learned his lesson, within two further minutes Boylan had transgressed again putting Monmouth 16-10 behind and reducing their numbers to 14 men for what was to prove an expensive ten minutes. Although the Monmouth pack dug in deep, when Risca forced their way over the line, with the cheers of the Risca supporters and without the benefit of a video replay, the referee awarded a try despite flanker Ollie Gray’s angry insistence that his hands were under the ball, which further indiscretion gave Risca a penalty kick from the re-start on top of their 23-10 lead but fortunately one that was missed. The remainder of the game was all Monmouth but despite a Matt King coolly taken penalty and use of all the substitutes, they were just not able to convert the pressure into points. In fairness Risca defended very well but nothing seemed to go right and rarely did any breaks appear to go the way of Monmouth. Perhaps a more voluble support from travelling supporters might help, but to dominate as much as they did in the second half, must raise some questions about their lack of cohesion and penetration when the pressure is on. At least it should mean that Monmouth will turn the tables when the teams replay at the Sports Ground 7 April 2007. This coming weekend a friendly has been arranged against Gordon League from Gloucester in time for some live music build-up for Christmas with the ‘Rsouls’ and some confidence restoration in time for the traditional Usk double ‘Derby’ on Boxing Day, with the Druids away at 11a.m. and the 1 st XV at home at 2.30pm and even more entertainment at the Club afterwards.
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