Monmouth RFC gained a valuable 'pick-me up' given the fright they gave Llandaff, the league leaders away last week.

On a day that promised foul weather but was more greasy underfoot than the quagmire expected, Monmouth had their opponents wondering how such a spirited side and strong pack could have suffered such a succession of reverses in recent months.

True they were defeated again, this time by 12 points to nil, but to a man they are eagerly awaiting the re-match when Llandaff visit Monmouth in just three weeks time because with a little luck and better concentration the opposite should be the case.

Some slight tweaks in selection had brought other dimensions to the game and when some further returnees from the sick list are available who knows what they might achieve in the run down to the end of the season provided they can maintain their drive, teamwork and commitment for the whole of each game.

With Llandaff kicking off with the slope and the stiffening wind, Monmouth took a whole seven minutes to get out of their own half but with little risk to their line as both side gave as good as they got.

Both sides continued to have half chances but the solid defences made for enthralling if unspectacular rugby. Nerves occasionally conflicted with opponents' enthusiasm as both sides had kicks charged down but with sound defences on both sides all was even for a whole half an hour.

Set pieces were tighter than the preceding week with John Powell taking some good balls at the front of the line. And then the Llandaff loose-head made a break in the Monmouth 22 with players looking on and when half stopped, a fellow player carried on the play only for the instigator to be on hand to support the move to go over under the posts for the first try of the game.

Heads were still up even when Llandaff scored through their pack again almost on half-time because an easy conversion was missed for a 12-0 lead and then in one of the few expansive attacks of the game wing Dave Brace was high-tackled gaining a bleeding nose for his troubles and just such an ever so near miss with the penalty.

With the wind behind them and fly-half Greg Wilding and full-back Rhys Ricketts both having good boots, the game was set for playing deep in Llandaff's half, there was no reason why Monmouth should not build on a stirring first half performance.

The referee had warned both sides before the game that he did not welcome back-chat and Monmouth had behaved themselves in this respect but early on after the change-over the opposing fly-half took exception to a refereeing decision costing his side 10 yards for dissent and then a yellow card for continuing to have his say.

As with previous weeks, the loss of a player caused the other side to rally and it was Monmouth who were on the back foot for a while at one stage diving on the ball over their own line when the home winger over-ran it following his kick ahead. Time was running out so penalty kicks at goal were ignored in the pursuit of a try with substitute prop Lee Watkins making many direct yards, and but for an accidentally offside offence which Llandaff used for a long relieving kick to ease the pressure, Monmouth deserved to have been in. The pressure was from Monmouth in the last five minutes but sadly to no avail but there is no doubt Monmouth will gain a great deal from this game for their next game at home on Chippenham against Chepstow at 2.30p.m.