Monmouth RFC visited RTB Ebbw Vale last Saturday (23rd October) with high hopes after several wins on the trot, but despite the steel-town club's lowly league position they did have a highly reliable goal-kicker, who with five out of five successes effectively won the very close game for them.
Electing to play into a strong wind, Monmouth needed to keep the ball in hand which they tried to do by running the ball irrespective of field position.
With Ebbw Vale quick up in defence the number of penalties given away was going to be a problem for both sides, although it was Monmouth who were six-nil down in the first five minutes thanks to accurate wind assisted long-range kicks against them.
RTB Ebbw Vale were anxious because of the strength of the visitors' front five, but despite a few penalty chances into the wind were delighted to turn around at the break 12-three ahead.