MONMOUTH MOVED to within three games of a Millennium Stadium final in the Swalec Bowl by beating Bala away 9-13 last Saturday although it was a close run thing in the end for the 14 men left defending against a determined home team.

In the changing room there had been talk of the need for early impact despite the 4 hour bus ride into northern parts and within two minutes the team combined to provide it by driving upfield and even though left wing Baker was initially denied, the pack showed the dominance they were to maintain throughout the game to present scrum half Matt King with good ball to set off a three-quarter move.

Centre Layne spectacularly broke the defensive line in the first of many cameo events which were to earn him 'man of the match', to find Baker on his right shoulder to complete one of the best tries of this season to date. Full back Dave Brace added the conversion for this impressive 0-7 start.