Monmouth RFC - Hard Fought Victory

The inclement weather forecast for last Saturday arrived as promised and considerably influenced the game away against Old Illtydians.

Monmouth's pack was as usual their major strength but despite the pressure they exerted almost throughout, the strong cross-winds and occasional flurries of rain contributed to an above average number of wayward kicks and passing and generally any predictability in the game for either side.

Injury to wing Chris Reed in the second minute did not help and a surprise but well executed try from their opponents 22 quite against the run of play by centre David Venter set Monmouth 7 points behind in the first five minutes, but at least they had the benefit of the slope for the first half.

Despite errors always going to be to the fore, Monmouth drove down-field again and again largely through their pack but sometimes through the penetrative boot of fly-half Dave Croudace, and when hooker Mark Jones charged down a clearing defensive kick, the second touch sadly was adjudged to have been a knock on much to the disappointment of the more vocal visiting supporters.

Time was running out despite Monmouth's dominance but try as they might through their backs, the Old Illtydian tackling was sound.  Sparkling bursts and probing kicks by scrum half Gareth Morgan, supported well by an effervescent flanker Ollie Gray were the other strings to their bow, earning Morgan the ‘man of the match' title.

And then with just five minutes to go before half-time with Monmouth encamped near the home line, no matter whose put in at the scrum it was the Cardiff club defences were creaking in the extreme and eventually they cracked and as No8 Dave Morgan was touching down for a pushover try, an opposing back row player infringed with the result that a penalty try was awarded.

Disappointing though this must have been for Morgan and his personal scoring tally, it made the conversion under the posts easier for Croudace who was able to level the scores at the break at 7-7.

Having dominated to the extent that they had done for such relatively little reward, the second half risked being problematical for Monmouth, with the elements not abating and the steep slope to combat as well. Every tackle, pass and point was now vital and Monmouth were not to be outdone.

Despite the kicking difficulties and a succession of injuries, Monmouth were to fight to the bitter end. A succession of unsuccessful penalties by Croudace was redeemed by just the one that succeeded and a 7-10 victory to the visitors was the very least they deserved even though the closeness of the score gave Old Illtydians a losing bonus point and Monmouth's spectators some very nail-bitten fingers by the end of the very extended game.

The coming Saturday sees Forgeside visiting in the first round of the Swalec Cup competition with kick off as usual at 2.30p.m.