Monmouth suffered some late and significant withdrawals before their first Swalec league fixture of the season away to Blackwood, but no-one could have foretold what was to happen thereafter.

The game started late and not without a little trepidation as Blackwood Stars were one of the teams to frustrate Monmouth's bid for promotion last season, and from the kick-off and the two rucks to follow they were to be frustrated by a knock on in the right hand corner as they threatened to score.

Monmouth retaliated from the scrum they were awarded with a break upfield, which with good support came frustratingly near but a mere minute later Monmouth had gone ahead through wingman Adam Roberts' elusive and pacey running. Rhys Ricketts converted.

Monmouth's pack began to show their strength and experience as they repeatedly drove the younger Blackwood backwards in the set pieces, although they certainly did not have it all their own way in the line-out, twice gaining good ground only to lose the ensuing throw-in.

For full story see Beacon 07/09/11.