WHEN Monmouth took the lead for the first time 12 minutes from the end of this second round of the Principality WRU Cup against Cardiff University at the Sports Ground, a third round spot seemed to be well within reach.

Monmouth had dominated for long periods, but too many basic errors meant they only had three penalties to show for their efforts, when right wing Jazz Tyler completed a stong attack to force his way over for a try which Rob Frost converted to put the home side 16-13 ahead.

Monmouth decided the best way to protect that lead was to kick for position and try to pen their opponents back in their 25. They did not do it very well and the University were able to hit back with two late tries, both converted, which gave them the Cup victory by 27-16.

Monmouth had the edge in the scrums, but had too many frailties at the lineout and at scrum-half to make the most of promising positions. And the old failing of not making first tackles count did not help their cause.

Cardiff University took the lead after eight minutes when their stand-off judged a tricky wind well to slot a 25 yards penalty.

Monmouth hit back with a strong attack following an old fashioned up and under by full back Long which the University failed to clear. The forwards linked well and Johnny Powell was stopped just short of the line. The ball was recycled to the left, but Jeffs hesitated with men free outside him and the opportunity was lost.

Nevertheless this prefaced a long period of Monmouth pressure. They won a scrum five yards from the Cardiff line, but a poor pass by Morgan lost a good position. A penalty award was kicked to the corner, but all the pressure came to nothing when the University won the lineout and were able to clear their lines.

Back came Monmouth and first Morgan and then Wadley were stopped just short of the goal-line. Just before half time Frost shaved the right upright with a 30 yard penalty attempt, but he was soon given another shot and kciked the goal from 25 yards to put his side level 3-3 at the interval.

Monmouth were rocked back at the start of the second half and the University's pacey right wing almost got over in the right corner. The ball was worked out to the left and the stand off evaded a tackle to go over for a try.

Frost soon reduced the deficit with a penalty when the University were caught offside infront of their posts. But the visitors extended their lead again when their left wing crossed for a try.

A fine run by Jeffs into the heart of the Cardiff 25 put Monmouth in a strong position and a blind side pass saw Powell stretch for the line before losing the ball.

Frost kept Monmouth in touch however with his third penalty, before they scored their try. After skipper Andrew Davies made the initial thrust, the ball travelled through several pairs of hands before reaching Powell who seemed certain to score, but again could not get the ball down over the line.

From the resulting scrum however, Tyler came in on the burst from the right wing and managed to wriggle over for the try, which Frost duly converted to edge Monmouth infront.

The Univsersity were not finished however and played their ace card by using their flying right wing as much as possible. They created enough space for him to run in two tries in the last five minutes and that was that.

Team:R Long; J Tyler, A Davies (capt), J Jeffs, M Morgan; R Frost, G Morgan; L Watkins, M Jones, W Wadley (L Phillips); J Powell, H Morgan, L Millard (S Boylan), I Seymour, B Morgan.

This Saturday, Monmouth are at home to Cilfynydd in the league, kick off 2.30 pm.