Two try Trueman overcomes strong visitors

Monmouth Youth welcomed touring side Boston RFC, Lincolnshire for the second year running, but were a bit surprised at the maturity of some of their players, especially a few forwards. Monmouth were hoping to use this friendly fixture to introduce a few of next years youth players. In the early scrums Boston managed to get a marked shove on due to their dominant size, and there was a worry about how Monmouth would cope.

Props Dean Bartlett and Tom Green are developing into very good players and showed great ability in coming to terms with the opposition, and coming out on top in the scrums, as well as being prominent around the field. Scrum half Ludo Thomas was immediately dominant and after seven minutes he again charged down a kick from Boston’s scrum half, retrieved the ball which was moved to centre Ben Samuels who ran in for the first try, that he converted.

The Boston forwards, produced a number of strong individual charges, but offered little in the backs, but one straight run by their centre found a gap in mid field and he went through for a converted try.

Monmouth were starting to get on even terms up front, with some good line-out takes from captain John Haines and Dean Newborn. From a Monmouth kick into the opposition ‘twenty two’, Boston ran the ball out strongly and a great run by their winger was only stopped with a try saving tackle by full back Ollie Norgrove. Outside half Declan Trueman attacked the blind side from a ruck on the halfway line, a dummy took him through the first line of defence, then a step inside the next before turning on the turbo and leaving the full back standing to score a great individual try, converted by Samuels. Half time Monmouth 14 Boston 7.

Monmouth’s commitment in tackling was excellent and Boston were kept out for the whole of the second half, and the determination continued when the talented young players were introduced. Slick passing along the backs had left wing Max Waters go charging up to the line, and from a quick ruck Haines went over for a try.

The outside half Trueman did it again, took on the defence from 50 metres out to slice through the defence and show fantastic speed and balance to yet again go round the hapless full back to score a second wonderful individual try, converted by Samuels.

The final score of Monmouth Youth 26 Boston Colts 7, before a good social time with the visitors. On Wednesday evening the Youth play at Chepstow in a league match, k.o. 7.15, all support very welcome.