Monmouth achieved their first double of the season by beating Brynithel again, edging them nearer to the top of their Swalec League and pleasing supporters and sponsors GM Engineering alike.

On a day when many other fixtures were ruled out by unplayable pitches throughout South East Wales, the Sportsground was near perfect with the only hindrance being the blustery wind.

Monmouth set about their task with vigour and within six minutes, following a series of winning rucks, fly half Rhys Ricketts grubber-kicked through for centre Andrew Davies to touch down halfway out on the left.

Ricketts was less lucky with the conversion, hitting the post.

Despite seemingly perverse penalty calls by the very prominent referee, Monmouth dominated possession despite the Brynithel pack being stronger than many, with a strong burst through centre field by left wing Tom Baker which, although promising, was snuffed out.

Monmouth camped on occasions near the right corner and the visitors' line but on at least three occasions when they should have scored they did not, sometimes for handling error, wrong choice of options but always because Brynithel were good at slowing down the ball.

Virtually on the stroke of half-time, scrum half Gareth Morgan gained a deserved score when he scorched over under the posts from a succession of forward drives for Ricketts to add the extra points.

Chance for one more score came and went when a canny visiting defender wriggled in and around to come out with the ball only to receive a penalty decision far out for 'lying on the ball'.

Bad luck for Monmouth but at least the 12-nil score gave them confidence for the second half.

Their coach urged that they cut down on errors and retain composure because the result would be there for the taking if they could.

Brynithel inevitably came out for the second half a little more determined but Monmouth rode the early pressure and were rewarded when wing Chris Reed, as part of a highly energetic man-of-the-match performance, took and gave a pass to centre Dewi Lane who was looping around him for the third try of the match.

Ricketts was accurate with the conversion and stretched the lead to 17-nil.

Brynithel's hopes were briefly raised with three points from a penalty with almost half an hour still to play but both sides battered away without further scores, with Monmouth perhaps the most frustrated as they were so near to a bonus point fourth try.

They were glad of the win but every little might help when the season end gets nearer.

Next week brings a major challenge with the visit of Caldicot for a true 'top of the table' clash, particularly as Caldicot shaded it in their home fixture.

Why not come and support your local team?