The last game of the season for the Druids saw Chepstow come to Monmouth in a hastily arranged fixture. Chepstow’s first team did not have a game so the Druids knew what to expect .Caldicot earlier in the season had done it so why not Chepstow! Anyway, the game started promisingly for the Druids when their forwards were having the upper hand.In the scrum they were under pressure but in the ruck and maul they had control. Sam Harding at Full Back, ran and tackled strongly, but his bruised ribs restricted his play. The Druids missed a penalty kick at goal, but took the lead with a fine try showing good support play. Sam Harding was held some ten metres from the Chepstow line but he threw an overhead pass to Greg Wilding who in turn fed Hooker Max Dyke who dived over the visitor’s line. This try was not converted. Chepstow backs looked sharp and they retaliated by scoring two tries on the Druids right hand side. One came from their full back and the other from their wing which was improved to give a 12-5 lead. Both sides kicked penalty goals-Centre Greg Wilding was the successful Druids kicker. The second half saw the Druids use their pack more and tried to deny Chepstow possession and therefore become less threatening. The Druids had chances but failed to take them and Chepstow extended their lead when they kicked a 20 metre penalty goal. They should have scored a try but their wing ran over the Druids dead ball line.....muppet! The game ended in a defeat for the Druids by 18-8, but the season was a success without achieving title or silverware. Sixteen victories, one draw and eight losses-only two before Xmas.Those defeats against Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Garndiffaith were difficult to take for different reasons. The season at Xmas looked promising but after that it was disappointing. Whilst the Druids results are valuable, feeding the first team with players is one of their prime responsibilities’ and they have done that well this year sometimes leaving them with a depleted side. They did not cancel a match this season, how many of our competitors can say the same? We could have been more street wise and cold blooded in our decision making. Some of our youth players were blooded and showed promise which argues well for the future. Finally, we must show more respect for officials-back chatting only cost us players and points. Whatever happens we will all have a quiet pint after the game followed by several noisy ones. Some of our youth players were blooded and played marvellously, which augurs well for the future.
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