CONEY Hill RFC repaid the previous week's visit that Monmouth made to Gloucester. That match ended in a draw and the Druids were confident of gaining a victory.
On a wet day the slippery ball made handling difficult and both sides made mistakes. The Druids made great efforts in the first 20 minutes and then fought for a lead. Some of their attacks, through good passing, only just failed close to the Coney Hill goal line, the final pass just failing to go to hand and the opportunities lost.
Coney Hill made in-roads into the Druids' half and forced Monmouth into conceding a penalty which they duly converted. Monmouth immediately counter attacked and soon equalised.
Coney Hill incurred a penalty for off side at a ruck and Simon Williams kicked the points.
Coney Hill finished the half strongly and forced the Druids to defend desperately. From a scrummage they created an overlap for their right wing to cross for an unconverted try. They further increased their lead when their outside half kicked another penalty goal.
Leading 13 points to 3, Coney Hill were forced to defend their line with some sound tackling. The Druids' forwards with Paul King, Andy Griffiths and Dave Morgan prominent pressed strongly. During this period Monmouth made two substitutions, Kevin Ridley and Colin Nicholas, and this increased their attacking potential.
However hard they tried the Druids failed to cross the Coney Hill line. Right winger Aaron Baker just failed to touch down near the corner flag.
Coney Hill replied with a converted effort and from a scrummage their number eight picked up and ran strongly to cross the Druids' line. This was converted and the game was lost.
Monmouth kicked another penalty goal - little consolation for a hard Saturday afternoon effort. The scoreline of six points to 20 points suggests a convincing defeat but Monmouth did not turn pressure into points. Some of their passing is breaking down and their is a need to get their quicker players more space to work in.
This Saturday the Druids travel to Ebbw Vale to play RTB and will hope to correct their faults and improve their results.