Monmouth uplifted by their good win over Rhiwbina last week travelled to Tredegar on Saturday hoping to repeat the same form, but it was not to be. Tredegar Ironsides who have had a bad season so far were instead uplifted themselves by proving the almost permanent stumbling block they have become for Monmouth over the years with this time a 31-17 victory. Having won the toss Monmouth captain Andrew Davies chose to play into a gusting wind but this required a tight first half and then to clean up in the second but with hindsight insufficient allowance had been made for The Irons’ ability to counter-attack and at pace. Within five minutes following a kick ahead they were soon defending their line and strayed off-side to go down 3-0. Tredegar knew how to keep on the pressure and had an excellent kicker who pushed Monmouth back quite regularly with kicks on the wind but full back Matt King was fortunately very sound under the high balls and ran many balls back with verve. On ten minutes a strike against the head by Monmouth brought encouragement and a good attacking move but it was turned over at the ruck and a long clearing kick made the ground needed for Tredegar to score their first try and convert it. At 10-0 down a rally was needed and the home side in turn was pressurised by the Monmouth forwards and their rampant back row in particular causing them in turn to incur a penalty for fringing but sadly it strayed to the right of the posts. Things settled down and Monmouth were digging in to keep the score down for their second half rally but then disaster. With only minutes left from a line-out near their line Tredegar forced the ball over at a ruck and the conversion made the task large. Monmouth tried to recover the situation but a strong charge by winger Jack Butler sadly led to a turn-over and soon Monmouth were again defending from a deep relieving kick so much so that the half-time whistle was welcomed. Plans were laid for the necessary riposte. Some classy rugby had already been displayed and less loose play and trying to take Tredegar on at their own game and all should be well. Tredegar’s fluffed kick off boded immediately well but soon Monmouth were letting Tredegar defenders off the hook in defence. But individuals were playing with vigour and fifteen minutes into the half flanker Mark 'Jock' Jones broke from a line out and charged ten yards for a try which King converted with style. Monmouth now really upped the anti and within just two further minutes from a succession of winning rucks, released the ball to fly half Davies who grubber-kicked through to strike the base of the post just right for him to gather and dive over. The kick was a formality for King and what was a 17-0 deficit was, all of a sudden, 17-14 with an ample 20 minutes to go. But it was not to be! Tredegar needed the win more obviously than Monmouth and it was their legs that lasted longest on their wide and long pitch. They bounced back and made the most of their strong centres, some weak defensive tackling and several penalties in succession as Monmouth tried to keep them out. The line was breached and Tredegar pulled ahead again Monmouth reacted but were harshly adjudged to have dangerously tackled and found themselves within ten yards of their line again. In no time, worse was to come as an (this time) unsighted referee missed a forward pass in the centre and once more weak tackling let Tredegar through for a 31-14 lead. With ten minutes to go Monmouth were again on the attack but the penalty scored by King was to be the last score as a very determined home side keenly held on to their comfortable lead. Monmouth may have won the second half 14-17 but the first half advantage they had conceded against the wind proved too big a hill to climb so it is back to friendlies for the next two weeks to try to maintain their match fitness if they are not to struggle more as the season progresses. Let us hope the mettle they showed against Rhiwbina can be re-kindled. In the meantime as Wales, too, are planning to redeem their fortunes against World Champions South Africa on 24 November, members will be pleased to know that there are still a few tickets available for the game via Secretary Pete Walters at the Club.
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