Monmouth played its third away match of the month at Brynithel and won albeit uncomfortably. First because they threw away so much possession through simple errors especially in the first quarter and second when in the final quarter the home team realised they could not win and decided fighting was an alternative form of entertainment. Monmouth however gave as good as they got and it was to no-one’s credit that both sides received a total of two yellow cards as the referee struggled to contain the unnecessary nonsense. The resolve of retiring second-row Kelly Lehmann was crucial throughout in ensuring Monmouth were not bullied out of a game they could and should have won by 40 points or more. When Monmouth first found some consistency it was clear they had the superior players and 12 minutes into the game captain Andrew Davies, standing in at fly-half, made the telling break but had his outside pass knocked down only for the ever sharp scrum half Gareth Morgan to scoop up the loose ball and dart up field on the left flank. Having drawn the full-back, hooker Stacey Edwards was up in support and glided over for the first try which King failed to convert. A mere three minutes later centre Dave Brace broke upfield and from the resulting scrum, Gareth Morgan shot over thanks to a set move and some weak tackling by Brynithel. Full back matt King was on target with the conversion to bring the total to 12-0 a full fifteen scoreless but exciting minutes before half-time. The Coach was concerned at the erratic performance of the Monmouth team, making it clear that they would need to raise their game by making the ball their own and supporting team-mates with it. On two distinct occasions second row John Powell had made big dents in the home defence only to be left stranded by casual support play. Monmouth opened well with a half break by Brace but the pass went slightly forward to fellow centre Ben Matthews who was away but for the interceding blast on the referee’s whistle. Brynithel were beginning to smoulder and when play was driven back into Monmouth territory one of an inordinate number of penalties during the game was converted to put the home team on the board at 12-3. Tom Baker was next to score in a pacey run which outflanked the covering defence and King added the extra points to stretch the lead to 19-3 with only 7 minutes of the second half gone. Within ten further minutes flanker Pip Hodgekin forced his way over from a short penalty. The overheard Brynithel response to the 24-3 score-line after the conversion ‘to do a few of them’ caused the game to almost immediately ‘hot up’ and before long the first pair of yellow cards were awarded. From a resulting penalty Brynithel crossed the Monmouth line for the first and last time and the 24-10 spurred Monmouth to better things albeit that retaliation lost Monmouth their lively wing Baker for ten minutes together with one of Brynithel’s own. Flanker Adam Seymour had to leave the field for treatment to a cut head as a result of a punch to be replaced curiously by his substitute father but it was not long before Monmouth’s young speedy wing Jack Butler forced his way over through a defender’s tackle. Play was not over however and if Dave Morgan had not knocked on a pass from second row Matt Edwards who had made a twenty yard burst and possibly should have gone on his own, the score would have been a fairer reflection of some error ridden dominance. Any dissatisfaction with the performance was short-lived as the players retired to their club-house for Mike Griffiths to receive the Springfield Cider sponsored Man of the match award and then a celebratory disco in recognition of the contribution Kelly Lehmann had made during his relatively short stay in Monmouth. In addition to the framed club shirt he was given by the Team Manager, Kelly became the first ever Overseas Honorary Life member which for just once left the recipient almost speechless. Kelly will be greatly missed but the team and game goes on, as does the fun as the World Cup continues to provide numerous other celebratory opportunities over the next few weeks. The next challenge is a home cup-tie against Amman United next Saturday at the unusually early kick-off time of 1.30p.m. to cater for the Wales v Fiji game at 4p.m.
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