A trip to bogey side Tredegar Ironsides and their big wide pitch on a dry day has often led in recent years to a high scoring pasting. But not this season! The young backs were a shadow of their former selves and their front row could just not provide any meaningful platform given the intense pressure the Monmouth old heads put them under. But early doors, things looked even and the Monmouth team with many changes from normal must have wondered whether their back line would hold up when inside four minutes Tredegar broke through their back row, won the ensuing ruck and then breached their visitors’defence again to score the first try which went unconverted. Dave Brace soon clawed back three points with a penalty kick but the apparent ease with which the Ironsides were creating overlaps was a worry at this stage and whilst a fine tackle by full back Matt King and a clearing kick by flanker Harvey Morgan kept them out at one stage, minutes later they were to fall behind a further three points for handling in the ruck. Only a few minutes later No. 8 felt he had been hard done by for a loose play offence but told the referee so too forcibly. The ensuing ten yards award brought the kick into range and Monmouth were now 11-3 down in the 34th minute of play. Stern words were exchanged within the Monmouth team and they began to get their act together consistently. They began to give Tredegar a piece of their own medicine and after stretching them across the field, left wing Huw Tatham went over with style to narrow the gap at half-time to 11-8. With hindsight there had been many missed opportunities, which with a little luck and better control would have reversed the position but behind Monmouth were, if not catastrophically. Coach Ian Seymour produced his usual sound advise, calling for greater intensity with tighter driving play to wear out the opposition. The mistakes were reduced but the break had allowed Tredegar a breather, so play went to and fro equally for the first ten minutes after the interval. But after a succession of four winning rucks, sucking in the home side’s defence all the while, the ball was spun along the line from right to left and substitute second row Matt Edwards was on hand in the movement to dive over under the posts, making the conversion an easy one for Brace who put his side 11-15 in front. Monmouth were now on fire helped by the fearsome scrummaging pressure and repeated mauling and rucking, and in but another ten minutes flanker Dave Morgan capped a determined performance by scoring the third try which Brace was again able to convert. Tredegar were gradually falling apart under the intensity of the driving mauls and when they resorted to dragging them down and lying on in the rucks, they were lucky to be only penalised and not yellow carded. Brace added to his eventual 17 point tally with another kick. With but a few minutes to go it was fitting that the whole side seemed to be engaged in the next try. Drive after drive took Monmouth nearer the line and after one particularly effective ruck the ball was once again spun left for hooker Mark Jones to forcibly take the ball almost to the line under the posts. Quick ball left the opponents’ defence stretched and slick passing left Brace with a man outside and the line beckoning. Tatham missed out this time as Brace completed the scoring with a personal try and the conversion to follow. The team were elated. They had strengthened their second position in the table despite numerous injuries and changes and when they heard the Druids had routed Usk 2nds 12-49 in the District Cup game the day was complete and the celebrations began in earnest. The coming weeks bring RBS 6 Nations Rugby when those unlucky enough not to have tickets will be able to view the games on one of three screens at the Club-house with food and drink packages being arranged. Short of watching Monmouth continue their run of successes, what more could one want?
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