MATCH REPORT
SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2008 Monmouth RFC Warriors (under 12's) played an active and decisive part in the Great Oaks fund raising tournament last Sunday. Monmouth kicked off against Cheltenham on a small and narrow pitch. The game was cleverly controlled by half backs Max Davies and Jacob Webley. Captain Sean McMahon and Daniel Musselbrook led the forward drive against a large Cheltenham pack. Fast hands and even faster feet led to a scintillating try by Max Senior which saw him out-pace the opposition and score from the half way line. A successful kick by Jacob Webley, who did not miss a kick at goal all day, led to a 7-0 victory for Monmouth. The victory came at a cost however with Ieuan Gale and Finlay Ratcliffe both picking up injuries throughout the match following stalwart performances from both players. The next game against Welsh touring side Tylorstown was a ferocious affair. Weak tackling from Monmouth led to a soft early try for the touring side. Monmouth responded with some aggressive flowing rugby and silky running from Daniel Dunmore brought Monmouth to within striking distance of the opposition try line. Aggressive work from Daniel Edwards saw him score a well earned try after having been unlucky not to pick up on previous scoring opportunities. Once Monmouth took the lead, they started to assert their authority on the game. Jacob Webley controlled the game magnificently from outside half. Excellent forward play from Harry Miles, Josh Carpenter and Jonathon Clewes led to a series of infringements by the touring side. A number of quick tap penalties resulted in a try for scrum half Max Davies. Jacob Webley's successful conversion saw Monmouth into the final 14-5 victors over Tylorstown. The final against Old Pats was a torrid affair with both sides determined to play open, flowing rugby. Excellent passing from the Monmouth backs and some canny foot work led to a fantastic score in the corner by Max Senior. The Monmouth back three consisting of Liam O’Hare, William Fraser and Hamish Lindsey undertook an aerial bombardment from Old Pats which they dealt with magnificently. Each aerial onslaught was superbly fielded with counter attacking runs from full back Hamish Lindsey and his wingers appearing to happen every few minutes. Some good driving work from the Old Pats forwards led to a try to level the score. After a very even second half, Nico McCord almost stored an interception try from good follow up work on Jacob Webley's kick. Both Joe Bezani and Joe Walters were prominent in the second half, finding themselves once again in a familiar role in the forwards after having featured as wingers previously in the tournament. In the second to last minute of the game some sloppy defence by Monmouth led to a last grasp try for Old Pats. Monmouth were well deserved runners up against an Old Pats side that had not lost all season – another five minutes might have changed that fact. Congratulations to the Monmouth Warriors who gave their all, with many of them playing out of position, to unfamiliar English rules. Every member of the squad excelled themselves throughout the tournament and every player has been awarded a Monmouth RFC Man of the Match award for their endeavours.
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