ON Sunday Monmouth Mini Rugby Club played at home with visiting sides from Abertillery and Penarth providing the opposition.
The under 10s gave an excellent display against a well organised Abertillery side. Despite an early try by the visitors, Monmouth played an effective well disciplined game from the outset.
The Monmouth forwards pressurised Abertillery in their own half setting up good positions from which the Monmouth backs were able to launch some excellent attacking moves.
A fine run by Tom Williams soon provided the equalising try. The Monmouth players continued to play good rugby with Matthew Frost, Fraser Blackwood and Tom Williams handling well and passing the ball unselfishly at every opportunity.
Two further tries resulted for the home side scored by Mark Roberts and Robert Brown. A late try poached by Abertillery kept the visitors in the game at the half time whistle.
In the second half the Monmouth forwards continued to control the game creating further scoring opportunities. The impressive Robert Brown went on to add two further tries for Monmouth ably assisted with one score by Danny Lea. To their credit Abertillery were never down and out scoring a third try in the second half but Monmouth were always in charge of this match winning by five tries to three at the final whistle.
The under eights produced a creditable performance against a tough Abertillery team. Marcus Barnard scored the only try for Monmouth in a close fought game.
An improving under nines side played a good game of rugby against a strong Abertillery side eventually losing out by six tries to two. Man of the match for Monmouth was Oliver Bagwell.
The under 11s faced a very difficult task against an Abertillery side which exhibited considerable attacking flair and talent. Although Monmouth always competed well and defended resolutely they found it difficult to cope with the sheer pace and skill of some of the best young players seen at Vauxhall this season. Consequently the visitors ran out winners by 38-12 despite long periods of possession and much good rugby from the home side.
The under 12s enjoyed a convincing 38-12 win against Penarth with a virtuoso performance from Sam Jones scoring 17 points in total, 12 from successful conversions. Ruari Lane and Ben Williams both scored two tries apiece.
To find out more about mini rugby go along to one of the training sessions held at Vauxhall on Saturday mornings or contact Richard Matthews on Monmouth 716506 for further details.