1XV

Division 5 East

Rampant Monmouth

Dry and clear conditions on a firm pitch foretold a speedy game with lots of excitement and scores. Sadly for visitors Crumlin, the scores were all one way as top of the table Monmouth thumped them by 60 points without reply although to their credit Crumlin never once gave up in their quest for a try of their own.

Fly half Rhys Ricketts was to top-score with 25 points from his three tries and kicks with No 8 Mike Griffiths not far behind with a hat-trick of his own.

Tries: R.Ricketts (3), M.Griffiths (3), G.Morgan, M.Tabb, G.Shirlaw, J.Powell
Conv: R.Ricketts (5)

Bonus win for Monmouth at RTB EbbwVale

A strong blustery down-field wind was to influence play above Ebbw Vale last Saturday with the attendant threat on the field of the same player who had beaten Monmouth last season with his lengthy and accurate goal-kicking.

But Monmouth were disciplined and having created a bonus point 29-0 first half lead with the elements, RTB were forced to chase the game, ignoring possible kicks at goal in pursuit of tries of their own.

Tries: D.Lane, A.Davies, M.Griffiths, J.Powell, PENALTY TRY,
Conv: R.Ricketts (4)
Pen: R.Ricketts

Monmouth Keep Up The Winning Habit

Faced with a late withdrawal by yet another Swalec League team, Risca came up late Friday with the offer of a development game against their 2nd XV provided scrums were uncontested. Monmouth accepted preferring to try to keep their winning habit going rather than have no game.

Winger Gareth Morgan graced the score-sheet twice with four of his colleagues completing the 6 tries and with fly-half Rhys Ricketts impressively on cue with five conversions in a 40-17 victory where no penalty kicks were attempted.

Tries: G.Morgan (2), S.Edwards, L.Thomas, J.Powell, A.Layne
Conv: R.Ricketts (5)

Monmouth 10 Try Blitz

On a sunny Saturday afternoon league leaders Monmouth took on mid table Blackwood Stars who can be formidable opponents.

Tries: A. Roberts (2), G. Morgan (2), D. Lane, L. Thomas, R. Farr, S. Harding, M. Griffiths, G. Shirlaw
Conv: R.Ricketts (3)

Monmouth Get the Double on Boxing Day

With the Druids having excelled themselves on Boxing Day morning scoring more than 60 points without reply, Usk were predictably more determined at home in the afternoon resulting in an exciting and hard fought game full of suspense to the very end.

Monmouth got out of the blocks first and spent much time in and around the Home 22 but without scoring until scrum-half Ludo Thomas ran an arcing line which ended under the posts without so much as a hand being laid upon him. Fly-half Rhys Ricketts added the extra points with ease.

Tries: L.Thomas, G.Morgan
Conv: R.Ricketts (2)
Pen: R.Ricketts

Good League Win Against Usk

A rousing start by Monmouth last Saturday against near neighbours Usk should have brought more than two early penalty scores from fly-half Rhys Ricketts, but for all the early pressure which had Usk staggering, they were unable to capitalize on their considerable territorial and possession advantage.

80% of the time in the Usk half would have brought if hands were warmer, passes went to hand and the penalty count against Monmouth in the first half had been so great.

Tries: C.Reed, M.Griffiths, A.Davies
Conv: Ricketts
Pen: R.Ricketts (3)

Cup Run Ends

Monmouth came up against the best Chepstow team they have played for years on Saturday and saw their Swalec Bowl hopes disintegrate, losing by 4 tries to 3 or 35-23 overall.

Their chances were not helped by the stirring start made by Chepstow, which saw them race to a 20-3 lead in the first 12 minutes of the game.

Tries: A.Davies, G.Morgan
Conv: R.Ricketts (2)
Pen: R.Ricketts (3)