In weather more suited to cricket or even surfing, Monmouth took 26 players to play their final trial game at Berry Hill last Saturday where they drew 17 points apiece. The sides were very evenly matched and the score a fair one although Monbmouth ended in the ascendancy having played the classy rugby on this occasion whilst the Foresters dwelt on forward power. The game started late due to the horrendous traffic congestion that day and Berry Hill quickly took advantage, scoring an unconverted try in the first three minutes of the game after repeated rucks and then a dive over the line. Monmouth currently has the benefit of some very young fast legs in Jack Butler who scored the first try from a turnover and a full 65 yards run but Wilding missed the fairly easy conversion. Having shuffled their players in the first interval, Monmouth took second place in the next quarter with Berry Hill scoring the only points from a converted push-over try despite some sterling disruptive work from the visiting back row and Michael Griffiths in particular. The set pieces were contested evenly but Monmouth’s mauling at times was deficient keeping the more lively visiting backs on the back foot for much of the time. Berry Hill started the second half .the more switched on again and despite rugged Monmouth defence with new Kiwi, Dion Hurinui, tackling like a demon, their line was eventually breached for another unconverted close quarters try stretching the score to 17-5. This proved the catalyst for full back Cruikshank to break deep into Forest territory. He drew two opponents and passed to wing Butler who completed the move, out-stripping the defence for yet another classy if unconverted try. Much depended now on a good final quarter but the kick off was knocked on. Play was fierce, but with the slope, Monmouth were building up a head of steam culminating in an excellent break-out by scrum half Gareth Morgan. He dummied left and right and the supporting decoy run of Matt King allowed Griffiths to complete a fine personal game by charging into a gap and having taken an overhead pass from Morgan there was no stopping him from scoring under the posts. Fortunately the conversion went over, just, - courtesy of the upright, to level the scores. Another five minutes would have seen a different result but Coach Ian Seymour will have been well pleased with the way everyone stuck at it and with the fitness and flair of several key individuals and just in time for the first league fixture next week away against Abertillery Blaenau Gwent. Televised Summer Internationals have made for good entertainment in the Club in recent weeks and soon there will be the whole of Rugby World Cup 07 to be savoured. New members and players are welcomed.
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