After high-scoring wins earlier this season, it was a shock for Monmouth players and supporters alike as to how hard the team had to scrap to achieve a last gasp draw of 16-16 last Saturday at Brynithel.

Games there are always fierce affairs especially in front of their voluble and demanding crowd, and this was no exception with four local brothers in their team leading the way.

The hosts missed with a penalty in the first minute and were also first on the score-board with a successful kick only five minutes later for a lifting tackle, which proved far less dramatic than events that morning on the other side of the world.

The game was punctuated by the whistle, compounded by confusion galore. The referee signaled poorly, and was regularly drawn into debate with players and even spectators at times. But Monmouth players have still not learned that one needs to play the referee and not dispute his actions.

For full report see Beacon 19/10/11.