The weather forecast was poor and as expected, the strong wind at Monmouth’s back for the first half and not infrequent showers, were to make conditions a struggle for players and spectators alike. Even the referee declined a half time drink of water because he wanted “to keep his insides warm”. But it did his refereeing no harm as almost everyone agreed he was the best seen in Monmouth this year with an excellent balance of judgement and control. Nantyglo came with a good reputation and all was reasonably well once Monmouth realised the best way to make progress was definitely not by trying to kick the ball into the wind which was proving so unpredictable. When they began to pass closely and drive to complement their initially stronger set pieces the game looked set for an even contest. Nantyglo’s front row had apparently suffered because of illness and some transfers to other clubs and Monmouth’s solid front five capitalised on it. The back row fed off the scraps and generally gave their scrum-half a comfortable ride. When, however, Monmouth became the first to score against the elements after thirteen minutes when left wing Tom Baker was slipped a delightful pass by No 8 Adam Seymour to set him off on a 65 yard run to score near the posts, despite full back Matt King failing with the difficult kick hopes of a turnover were well and truly raised. Although Nantyglo now tried to raise their game Monmouth tackled hard and well and even though there was a period when their line was seriously threatened whilst two Monmouth players were afflicted by a very early onset of cramp, to hold out for so long against such a fierce wind and the inevitable long kicks was enormously encouraging. The scrums were still solid and the lines-out particularly at No. 2 were secure. But eventually the resistance was ground down and the Monmouth goal-line was breached when Nantyglo drove over from close quarters near enough to the posts to allow for the conversion of the try. But for the remaining 10 minutes of the half Monmouth held out. The Coach reassured them that as they now had the elements with them all they had to do was maintain tight control of the game and avoid rash mistakes. An early warning came when the game became looser and Monmouth were lucky not to go farther behind when their goal-kicker just failed with a 50 yard penalty on the wind. Next after a ricochet from a loose ball that would just not stick in a Monmouth hand, the Nantyglo second row Neil Amos ran a good forty yards along the touch-line failing only to score by a yard or so as he was forced into touch. As the time ticked by Monmouth’s frustration showed and instead of kicking long and deep they began to try and run the ball from far out, substitution changes began to reduce the previous set piece dominance and Nantyglo revelled in returning with advantage any spilled ball. The final five minutes were nerve-wracking. First Matt King narrowly missed with a penalty which would surely have won the game and then twice a Monmouth back kicked ahead, once when the ball was gratefully marked and another when it was safely grounded by a defender in the dead ball area despite an apparent overlap screaming for the ball on the right. More lessons to learn, and quickly too, as Monmouth are away to Risca next week when the weather is not guaranteed to act as such a leveller again. Members are urgently asked to note that 6 Nations ticket orders must be made this week as onward orders are having to be made earlier than expected!
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