Monmouth RFC 8 Newport High School Old Boys 25

PLAYERS got a massive kick out of the return of competitive grassroots rugby on Saturday as Monmouth RFC played their first game at Chippenham in 17 months.

Newport High School Old Boys (NHSOB) were the visitors, who had already managed a couple of games prior to the weekend, which showed in their more synchronised play from the start.

Rugby in August is new to everyone, clashing directly with cricket and people’s current burning desire for getaways both home and abroad, but that always provides opportunities, with at least eight players in action for Monmouth fresh from their days in the Youth XV.

In addition, the hosts were understandably suffering somewhat from many senior players not being available for a variety of reasons.

All was not bad news though because the natural fitness of some and the enthusiasm with which the younger players got stuck in was encouraging, despite the fact that ultimately they were to go down 25-8.

Initially, with players still struggling to manage the modified laws now playable and despite their eagerness, far too many rucks led to penalties against Monmouth, largely due to ‘holding on ’which lost territorial progress gained.

The referee took some time initially to convince the more high-spirited players to calm down and as he was not the most visibly demonstrative of officials, spectators, of whom there were quite a few despite the rain, struggled a little to always quite understand what stoppages were for.

The minimum of scrums and tapped re-starts tested lungs to the maximum, but made for much more running action than viewers of the recent Lions series have been used to.

The local front five were prominent in their carries and after threatening the visitors’ line, they took the lead 3-0 with a penalty after 25 minutes kicked by Matt Tabb.

But then they lost that advantage just a minute later after giving up a penalty which NHSOB converted for 3-3.

And right from the re-start, the hosts were rocked by an unconverted try, with the visitors leading 11-3 at the break.

Both sides tested the other for a while for much of the third quarter, with only a missed penalty by Matt Tabb to note.

But then from a counter-attacking move over some 70 metres, the visitors scored a conveerted try for an 18-3 lead.

Another penalty miss by Monmouth prefaced a further try down the left wing to move the score to 25-3.

But Monmouth were not for giving up. Some of the heavier forwards may have slowed by now but Pete Seran and Logan Woskitt were still as eager as ever.

Monmouth lost a player to a yellow card following a skirmish, but Ollie Scrivens made an excellent break to almost put Monmouth on the score-board again.

An NHSOB prop then transgressed with a high tackle for which he, too, was sent off for the requisite ten minutes with the closing event of the game being a superb try by Harry Johnson for an 25-8 score line.

Much was learned from the game but most of all, everyone was glad to be back from gardening, decorating or just vegetating.

Monmouth next travel to Oakdale on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm), while the Druids travel to Abergavenny Quins on Friday evening, kick off 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, Chepstow 1st XV bounced back from a 38-12 home loss to Pontyclun the previous week to beat Machen 21-12 at home in the WRU Bowl on Saturday, and Chepstow Druids saw off visitors Pill Harriers 11-6.

This Saturday, the 1st XV host St Julians HSOB in the Bowl.

Caldicot RFC beat visitors Caerleon 17-11 in their opening WRU Plate match, and next play Croesyceiliog away in the same competition on August 21.

Abergavenny 1st XV beat Blackwood 31-22 away in the Plate and host Blaenavon in the same competition in a big derby clash on Saturday.

Usk who didn’t play at the weekend are at home to Newport Saracens in the Bowl on Saturday. Parkrunners take second birthday in their stride