Bright weather and a dry pitch augured well for an improving Monmouth at Chepstow last Saturday.

An excellent early break by centre Huw Adams seemed to set the tone until Chepstow against the run of play scored first through a breakaway although unconverted try.

Chepstow's hopes rose as a result as had their vigour and it looked like a replay of the game at Monmouth when they were the more dominant side over the first half, but Monmouth did not panic and began the long haul of using the strength of their scrum to wear down their lively opponents.

The line-out was not particularly their forte other than some very clean takes at the front of the line by second row John Powell, but their front five were awesome in the set pieces and gave their opposing props a fair battering which was to deliver results much later in the game along with their back row giving as good as they got.

Tempers became inflamed by the time 30 minutes had elapsed resulting in a mass punch-up and the loss of a player from each side to the sin-bin which at least had the benefit of calming things down but the resultant three points from the boot of Dave Brace lifted Monmouth some more and when he scored another just before half-time, Monmouth were at least heading in the right direction.

It was clear that their forward strength was beginning to tell and if they could achieve quicker ball at the breakdown through consistently more drive the game could be theirs through their more mature backs.

But the poor drop-out at the start immediately allowed Chepstow to put their visitors under pressure and although Monmouth were obviously up for it, it took nearly ten minutes for them to crack. A searing run by No. 8 Mike Griffiths made yards and the timely support and startling pace of John Powell backed up by flanker Dave Morgan brought Monmouth's first try and a 5-11 lead.

Next by winning the ball against the head Monmouth were to deflate the home team's spirit by scoring yet another unconverted try this time by prop Craig Nicholas who stretched well over the line after yet another burst from Griffiths.

Griffiths was by now thoroughly enjoying himself despite his earlier enforced absence from the field and from a scrum taken near the Chepstow line instead of an easy penalty chance he crashed through the despairing tackles of the opposing back row. Dave Brace who had been striking the ball well but with little actual success this time added the conversion as part of the 12 points he contributed with the boot overall.

Chepstow's pack were now deconstructed in the set pieces even though their back row were still troublesome and play went to and fro but with Monmouth looking the stronger. It was fitting therefore that after a long kick ahead, well followed up, from the ensuing winning scrums and rucks, Monmouth were able to queue up and through simple but speedy passing put right wing Brace in at the corner and he then added two difficult points from far out for a personal 15 point total in Monmouth's 30.

Chepstow stirred as a result and showed considerable pride in taking the game back down the slope to Monmouth.

From a break-out and a quick penalty following a ruck Chepstow pressed hard and eventually the Monmouth defence cracked allowing a hint of respectability on the score-board for Chepstow if not a few worries about their now declining league position.

Monmouth will take a great deal from the way in which they secured this victory after their previous narrow win at home and can now look forward with keen anticipation to their home game versus Crumlin next Saturday provided they are early and sober to bed rather than viewing the France game which will be showing at the Club-house the night before.