On a cracking day for rugby with little wind and plenty of sun, Blaenavon visited Monmouth for the first time in many a year and went away the 12-31 winner and with a bonus point for four tries, too.

Monmouth had expected a big challenge but struggled in the early stages because of the incessant pounding by the visiting pack.

The local boys did their best defensively but the waves of attacks not only brought an early converted try but the visitors were to score two more tries with one conversion without return by the break.

Few if any individuals could be criticised for mistakes although with hindsight too much possession was kicked back for their opponents to mount further attacks.

Blaenavon were just more street-wise and organised during this period as their defences showed on the occasions Monmouth were able to generate territorial threats of their own.

Although those who had stepped up to fill the boots of absent players all gave of their very best.

To make up a 19-point deficit was going to be a stiff second half challenge but at least Monmouth were now playing down towards their favourite corner and by sticking to their own game plan and trying to dictate their own pace.

But sadly Blaenavon had ideas of their own and they continued to harry as they had done in the first half with a charged down clearance kick giving them a further early seven points to add to Monmouth's burden.

Whether the ball had just crept over the dead-ball line or not is a moot point but it all happened so quickly with many people unsighted that it was what the referee thought that counted.

This at least stirred Monmouth, who began in turn to pressurise the visitors' goal-line.

Eventually they were rewarded for their efforts and centre Dewi Lane scored neatly near enough the posts for Monmouth's first try converted by fly half Adam Roberts.

For more on this game, see this week's Beacon (17th October).