Monmouth Youth played with the sun behind them in the first half of Saturday's match, on a pitch made very slippery and heavy after all the snow. Opponents Talywain have been playing very well, were leaders in the league, and won the fixture at Talywain earlier in the season.
Training had been well attended, and the match day attitude was very good. Monmouth started very well, playing the game in the opposition half and denying them any possession of the ball for long periods.
Halfbacks Ludo Thomas and Aaron Price used the possession they were given by the forwards very sensibly, and a good catch and run by wing Nathan Cocker resulted in a lineout for Monmouth about ten metres from the line.
A great throw-in and catch, by Dan Thomas and Jon Haines, produced a perfect forward drive to go over the line for the first try after 12 minutes, which was converted by Ben Samuels. A scrum offence offered Samuels a chance to increase the lead from a penalty kick, and he took it.
The forwards were playing extremely well as a unit, taking the ball forward, clearing away the opposition and producing good balls for the backs to use.