Monmouth RFC - No Longer Unbeaten

The scene-setting tackle for the game by stand-in hooker Andrew Hunter on the Talywain fly-half was a purler, setting an example for his forward colleagues and for a while Monmouth had their visitors to the Sports Ground worried.

Two minutes later local fly-half Dave Croudace had three points on the board in response to an off-side offence at a line out but Talywain gathered themselves and it was clear their pack whilst weaker scrummagers would be lively and some of their three-quarters and especially their full-back quite electric.

Following a deep counter-attack they hit the post with a penalty kick but Croudace who was again kicking well countered himself on top of a good Monmouth break out, with another three points and all this inside 10 minutes!

Both sides gave as good as they got for the next quarter of an hour culminating in another miss at goal by Talywain, but home Captain and second row John Powell in turn stamped his commanding presence on the game which was to deservedly win him the accolade of ‘Man of the Match' causing mayhem in Talywain's defence, eventually picking up on the edge of a pile-up and taking three defenders with him over the line for a 11-0 lead.

But Talywain were not to be outdone and posted some warning signs just on half-time with a sweeping move down the left using forwards and backs in turn. Monmouth's defence held out but at the cost of a penalty to the visitors which made it 11-3 at the break.

The coaches tried to re-programme their respective teams but it was Talywain who came out of the traps on fire clawing seven points back within two minutes of the re-start with Croudace hitting the post soon after just when Monmouth needed to widen the gap.

Play became more fierce with the visiting pack looking a trifle the more determined despite the trial of strength they had lost earlier in the tight but their eagerness caused them to dive over at a ruck and Croudace gratefully added three points.

The fire continued when the referee perhaps should have calmed things down with a yellow card and although another penalty came Monmouth's way as a result, the kick was crucially missed.

Monmouth were slipping into bad ways kicking possession away  back into the hands of Talywain who welcomed the opportunity to counter-attack through their speedsters and it took a fine try saving tackle by scrum-half Gareth Morgan at the end of such a sweeping incursion to avoid another set-back.

Monmouth were now on the rack with Talywain driving and rucking well and try as Monmouth might they were unable to keep the hordes out. A further converted try took Talywain 14-17 ahead and when they gained two successful penalties in quick succession Monmouth needed the considerable injury time awarded to have any chance of saving the game.

Try as they might they were unable to complete any of their many attacks despite pressing hard and a further penalty kick by Croudace after a nasty late tackle that deserved greater punishment was their only late consolation.

The losing bonus point from the 17-23 loss may well prove important by the season end but there certainly can be no time spent brooding over the loss of this season's unbeaten record with Old Illtydians providing next week's similarly stern opposition in Cardiff.