Monmouth Youth 10, RTB Ebbw Vale Youth 5

On a very wet pitch Monmouth Youth took on a good RTB Ebbw Vale side, after a loss the week before away to Caldicot in the Gwent Cup. As usual there were a number of changes to the expected side, but after a quiet initial ten minutes the Monmouth forwards really got stuck in with some excellent drives led by captain Bicknall, backed up by the second rows of Bilby and Roberts.

From a great series of pick up and drives by the forwards covering nearly 50 metres the ball was there for scrum half Ricketts to force his way over for a try, which went unconverted. Monmouth dominated possession for the rest of the half, playing some great wet weather rugby. From a penalty the forwards showed confidence to kick to the corner and won the lineout to drive to the line, where Ricketts again, this time with some help from his friends, went over for another good try. The performance was impressing the supporters on the line and praise from the opposition coaches. A score of 10 to 0 at half time.

RTB took the game to Monmouth at the start of the second half, and after a lot of pressure their left wing went through a couple of tackles to score an unconverted try.

It was not a day for open backs play but Monmouth backs did all that was needed, generally tackling well, and Smith at full back dealt very well with the high balls and ran extremely well.

The game fluctuated each way, until the last 5 minutes when RTB got a flow of penalties and were really threatening the Monmouth line and take the result, but strong passionate defence kept them out for a great 10 points to 5 victory.