The atrocious week-end weather greeted the Monmouth RFC u11 squad as they travelled to Cwmbran on Sunday.

With a strong Cwmbran team only losing one game this season, the scene was set for a closely fought contest.

A welcome break in the clouds greeted the kick off as Monmouth applied the early pressure through the outstanding driving play of Josh Reid, Owen Hughes and Mataius Kefaluis at forward. This set the platform for Josh Reid to crash over from close range for the first try of the game.

Within a minute of the re-start, Monmouth produced the second try of the game with some scintillating play. A series of drives culminated in the robust Rhys Longden taking the ball deep into the Cwmbran half. The quick ruck ball that followed enabled the backs to release centre MJ Baker who sprinted in from 30 metres for a truly memorable score.

Cwmbran were finding it difficult to cope with the power and pace of the Monmouth boys and another set of phases and excellent distribution from Ollie Vickers and George Burnett gave Jamie Norman the opportunity of finishing from 30 metres.

The early 15-0 lead stirred Cwmbran into action and a snipe on the blind side of a ruck, brought Cwmbran back into the game as one of their aggressive forwards crossed the white wash.

With half-time approaching, Monmouth tried to put distance between themselves and Cwmbran and upped the tempo of their game. With the backs producing some outstanding handling in the wet conditions, MJ Baker finished off wide out to add to his earlier score, quickly followed by a second try for Josh Reid. At half time Monmouth had produced some excellent rugby to lead 25-5.

The second half started in the same vein as the first, with the dominant Monmouth forwards driving into Cwmbran territory. With Henry Mayell and Harry McCoy to the fore, it was only a matter of time before the Monmouth boys added to their score. Jamie Norman hit the line from full back at pace, before outpacing the cover defence to score. Jamie then completed his hat trick with a magnificent individual effort from 50 metres. Not to be outdone, MJ Baker completed his hat trick with another fine individual effort as Monmouth started to run away with the game.

The boys were now full of confidence, playing some sublime rugby.

Mercurial outside half Ollie Vickers added a brace of tries with some dazzling running and scrum half Matthew Biggs sniped over with an individual effort of his own. There was still time for Ross Haines to go close, being held up just short of the line, before Cwmbran snatched a late consolation score.

As the referee brought the game to a halt, Monmouth had completed a resounding 55-10 victory, with undoubtedly their best performance of the season.