PERHAPS it was the delightful weather, or the news that justice had been done by the reversal of the Cup reversal against Trebanos for playing an unregistered player or perhaps the few illnesses/injuries that some were carrying, but Monmouth certainly looked as if they just did not turn up!

This inevitably worked to visitors, Machen's advantage. In the line-out they stole all they wanted, the Monmouth pack could not dominate as usual and the Machen back row were on hand to wreck anything half decent Monmouth tried to achieve.

After a substantial drive up-field in the first five minutes with a succession of quick penalties, the ball was turned over and gaps were found through missed tackles in mid-field for Machen to support the break well and score near the posts to take a 7 point lead.

Within a mere five minutes more they were awarded a long penalty kick but Monmouth were let off with the ball rebounding off the crossbar.

Repeated loss of the ball in contact prevented any growth in confidence and Monmouth were again let off when Machen again breached the line but fly-hacked too far and out of play.

Adam Roberts and Dave Brace tried hard at running the ball back and captain Adam Seymour played his heart out but to virtually no avail as the team was on this occasion unable to click in more than fleeting passages.

At least the score did not mount too greatly but Machen were again able to exploit several missed tackles and score under the posts for a converted try and a 0-14 lead just before half-time.

The talking to they received at the break to some extent worked because Monmouth started well in the second half led by a now ebullient scrum half Morgan but all it achieved was three points from a Brace penalty and then things relapsed and Machen through a succession of winning rucks scored an unconverted try to further dent the confidence of the home team.

After 23 minutes of the half with desperate measure becoming necessary, Monmouth camped in the visitors' 22 metre area and fly-half Andrew Davies charged over with Brace adding the points.

However, Monmouth were now visibly wilting in the heat and with many avoiding their responsibilities for defence, Machen cut through in broken play and stretched the lead to 14 points once again with the referee blowing his whistle to bring down a shade over what had been a distinctly under-performance in general terms.

Next week brings Tredegar Ironsides to the Sports Ground and much repair work will be needed on the training ground if they are not to suffer something similar or worse.

International tickets have now started to go well with only Australia ones available and the good news that the Club will be hosting a Past Players' Reception on the evening of the Wales v Canada game on Friday 14 November..