The remains of the tropical storm that drenched much of the South of Britain last weekend was the determining factor when Monmouth and Crumlin manfully slogged it out, ending up even at 10 points each.

It also explains the brevity of this report, because your correspondent's notes were all but washed out, too!

Playing first with the elements, Monmouth were initially on the back foot and Crumlin made headway down the blind-side several times before they scored an unconverted try in the first five minutes.

But Monmouth came to life and came back strongly through their very dominant pack and full-back Dave Brace obligingly narrowed the gap with a penalty kick despite the appalling conditions.

Not helped by a referee who seemed unwilling to make any allowance for minor mistakes in the driving drizzle, it was a while before Monmouth were able to move ahead on the score-board despite being camped in their opponents 22m.area on several occasions with the forwards urged on by scrum-half Kyle Price who made an impressive league debut.

The pressure eventually told and the referee awarded a penalty try with its attendant seven points for collapsing a retreating scrum but Crumlin levelled the score just before half-time when they drove back up-field for their tight head prop to charge in near the corner flag with what seemed to be his only attempt at speed all game, perhaps because of the pressure he was kept under in the front row.

At 10-10 it was clear what tactics their opponents would adopt given the stiffening down-field wind and rain and it was testimony to all 18 players used, given the loss of their captain following a bang on the head, that they held out to claim the two points from a draw.

Play was end to end and both teams missed opportunities to kick goals which only goes to prove how tough the conditions were but in addition to the strength of the pack, the one other part of the team deserving a particular mention was the defensive efforts of the back three.

Both wings and full back combined well to tackle, safely catch, kick and counter-attack, negating the risk from a determined opposition particularly once they had assumed the advantage of the slope and the conditions in the second half.

Justice was done all around and it was as well the showers were good and hot leaving Monmouth to later reflect with some satisfaction once other results became known upon their current third position in the league prior to the visit of Machen next week who are also going quite well.

It should be a good game at the Sports Ground next Saturday (k.o. 2.30p.m.), but some decent weather would also help.