Monmouth Druids unbeaten league record was at stake when they took on Garndiffaith up the welsh valleys. This match was the first game for three weeks due to inclement weather and was not the ideal preparation for this top of the league clash. Despite being 3 or 4 players short of their strongest squad they felt confident and were able to put a good team on the field of play. In fact although playing down a slight slope with a gusty wind at their backs the Druids found themselves on the defence as the Garndiffaith pack started strongly. Only sound tackling kept their line in tact. The Druids failed to use the elements in their favour and only occasionly did they threaten the home try line. At the lineout second row Andy Howells won good possession and in the scrums the Druids held their own. The shortage of match practice seemed to affect the Druids play and they were lacking real determination. It was inevitable that Garndiffaith would score and this came from a 5 yard penalty award. One of their second rows used his bulk to burst through some ineffectual tackling to touch down for an unconverted try and a deserved lead for the home side. The half time whistle blew and the Druids were only five points adrift and much to think about at the mid term break. The second half started with Garndiffaith pressing hard, stretching the Druids defence to its limits and they increased their lead in a similar way to the first. Again it was a 5 yard penalty award and again it was the same large Garndiffath second row who burst through to crash over the Druids line. Again, the try was unconverted but a ten points lead seemed to have killed off the game. The Druids finally got on the score board when full back Will Davies kicked a 30 metre penalty goal and what a strange kick it was. When it left his foot it looked to be heading well wide of the posts but he had judged the strong face on wind expertly as the ball swung between the posts. Shortly afterwards Garndiffaith themselves returned the compliment when their outside half kicked a 25 metre penalty goal. The Druids, far from being beaten, raised their game and forced the home side to defend. Showing great will power and determination they battered the Garndiffaith line and were suddenly the better side. Quick ball was moved to the left and Will Davies dummied and dived over the home try line. The kick failed but the result was in doubt because the Druids were now in command and looked dangerous. Then a moment which determind the match result in a controversial way. The Druids crossed the home try line and the referee who was about to award the Druids a penalty following a bout of fisticuffs reversed the decision and refused the try. In the aftermath a Druids player was sent off, for dissent, forcing the visitors to play the final 5 minutes with fourteen men. In the very last minute the Druids almost scored again to give them a victory they fought so hard for. A fine match played in good spirit and both sides were spent at the end. Pick of the Druids was flanker Brad Morgan who played his heart out and exhauted his team mates to do the same. Number eight Dion Hurinui had a quietish first half but played outstandingly in the second.
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