West Mon of Pontypool was the hosts of Monmouth Druids in a Pontypool and District league game. In bright sunshine. West Mon kicked off against a Druids side that included some Youth players on the substitute’s bench. The Druids were weakened because of first team call ups but gave the opportunity of senior rugby for some members of the promising youth team. One of these players proved to have a real impact on the game. The tactics of the Druids was obviously to move the ball wide at almost every opportunity. West Mon lived off the visitors mistakes without creating any clear cut chances. West Mon had the benefit of a following wind but looked not to have the capability behind the scrum. Their pack was workmanlike but offered little in attacking ideas in the threequarters. The Druids crated the overlap on a number of occasions and their wings saw plenty of the ball but could not break the West Mon defence. The only score of a closely fought first period was a penalty goal to West Mon awarded for an early tackle against a Druids Centre to give West Mon a 3-0 interval lead. The Druids must have been a little disappointed but the half time team talk was optimistic about the second half possibilities with the benefit of a following wind. Early in the half, the Druids brought in some substitutes and give fresh legs to bear. Second Row Jack Bicknell, jumped well in the lineout as well as showing up in the loose play. He was replaced by Rory Gallop and played really strongly, shirking nothing. West Mon were penalised for being offside and Centre Greg Wilding kicked a 30 metre goal to draw the scores level. Spectators were anticipating more Druids scores but to everyone’s surprise it was West Mon who took the lead. From broken play on the Druids 22 metre line West Mon substitute Second Row Dilwyn Lear drove through three or four tackles to dive over for an excellent try. This was not improved but gave West Mon an unexpected lead.The home side were greatly encouraged by this score and they upped their efforts. The Druids made another substitution which was to prove vital to the result of the game. Centre Chris Reed was soon in the action. Hooker Mark Ralph burst from a maul and fed Reed who hit the line at pace. He crossed the home line without a hand being laid on him. Greg Wilding kicked the conversion to give the Druids the lead for the first time in the game. The Druids strategy of moving the ball wide paid dividends which benefitted them in terms of increasing the lead. Full Back Mattie Morgan broke from inside his own half, he drew a defender and gave a perfect pass to Chris Reed who used his pace to outstrip the West Mon defence and touchdown. Greg Wilding kicked the conversion to make the score 17-8 to the Druids and with it a victory. An open game which the Druids dug deep to win. Without doubt the Youth members made all the difference and they are all to be congratulated for a very mature performance. Of the old ones, Centre John Jeffs saw plenty of ball and he used it wisely. His runs tested the West Mon defence and there is still rugby in the old man yet.A welcome victory after a run of three defeats.
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