Gwernyfed RFC were the visitors to Monmouth Druids on a bright sunny day on Chippenham Mead.

Both sides have had disappointing league results this year but surprisingly the two clubs are in the semi final of the Ivor Jones cup competition.

The Druids started strongly and looked likely to score but despite intense pressure, they were denied.Stern tackling from the visitors and a lack of real attacking ideas being responsible.Gwernyfed made the Druids pay for missed opportunities by taking the their chances and with it the lead.The home side were penalised for handling in a ruck and the Gwernyfed outside half stepped up and kicked a 40 metre penalty goal.

Shortly afterwards the visitors increased the lead, again through Druids mistakes.A sliced cross kick from a Druids player was won by the visitors and their right wing raced away.Two Druids defenders slipped off the attacker and he ran close to the posts to touch down for an unconverted try and a 8-0 lead.

The Druids reduced the arrears through a 35 metre penalty goal by outside half Rob Frost. It was a fine kick as the award was close to a touchline and was finely judged.At half time the Druids must have wondered how they were behind but there was no panic in the home side ranks.

After the restart the home side kept their work rate up and caused Gwernyfed real problems. Druids Number 8 Nick Phillips had numerous rampaging runs which the visitors found difficulty in halting.Following increasing pressure Phillips forced his way over to bring the scores level.The conversion attempt failed.

The Druids upped the pace and took the lead from a conventional threequarter move. From a scrum on the Gwernyfed 22 metre line, Druids Centre, Dewi Lane sold a dummy and broke through the opponents defence. His pace took him over the Gwernyfed line close to the posts but was not converted.

Not content with that the Druids swept back up field and caused a series of rucks close to the visitors line.Druids Hooker, Max Dycke picked up and dived over to score an opportunist try which again was not converted but increased the lead to 18-8 points.

Close to the final whistle, the Druids wrapped up the victory with another try by Centre Gareth Jones.He evaded two or three would be tacklers and crossed the try line, but again the conversion kick failed.

Full marks for effort, especially to the youngsters who were making their debuts, they faced up and all made great contributions to the win.

The tactic of using the strong running of Nick Phillips was over used and in future must be more selectively employed for effect.