Full of confidence after their record Cup win the previous week, reinforced by being drawn away against lowly Dolgellau in Round 2 of the Swalec Cup, Monmouth's trip to Machen to resume their league commitments perhaps seemed less of a challenge than it should have done.

With a sprightly start Monmouth pressed hard for the first five minutes, losing ground only to simple penalty transgressions at the ruck, which were to remain a continuing feature of their game.