FOLLOWING two highly successful trial matches, Monmouth School 1st XV embarked on their regular season campaign with a visit to Clifton College. The Clifton pitch lies just across the road from Bristol Zoo but the only roars to be heard were those of the School players and supporters as they ran out victors by 22-12.

Defence, as is the modern trend, proved to be the key as time and again Clifton were repelled by excellent organisation and hugely committed tackling, with captain Mike Griffiths and wing, John Shankland to the fore.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Monmouth opened the scoring through a well struck penalty goal from fly half, Will Edwards and he was to repeat the dose ten minutes later following good work from flanker, Joe Curtis.

On the half hour mark, the game suddenly burst in to life. Full back, Will Kershaw-Naylor fielded a speculative kick ahead and counter attacked from deep. Following excellent support play and interpassing between forwards and backs, Kershaw-Naylor was on hand some ninety yards further up the field to give the scoring pass to number eight, John Raymond. Edwards superbly added the extra point from wide out. This was to be his last act as he soon departed following a clash of heads. Mark Higgins stepped in as fly half and goal kicker and he was bang on target with a further penalty to take the school into a 16-0 lead at the break.

Clifton hit back immediately with an unconverted try but Higgins stretched the School's lead with another penalty after a good run from wing, Lee Harris. Harris was displaying good pace and he was almost rewarded with a debut try as he just failed to gather his own kick ahead.

Clifton continued to press but the Monmouth defence again stood firm until the referee awarded a penalty try following a series of infringements near to the line.

Higgins then calmed every one's nerves as he coolly slotted a penalty from 35 metres to secure victory.

Since this fixture was revised in 1993 this was the first away win for either side and few could doubt the School thoroughly deserved to break this trend.

Not to be outdone, the 2nd XV also recorded a fine 25-0 win, with Simon Goodman and Anthony Spary in good form. Further wins from the U16 and U14 team rounded off a highly success School rugby.

Next Saturday Marlborough are the visitors to Monmouth.