Bridge too far for Monmouth despite hosts’ brave fightback

After testing league leaders Penallta the previous week with a five try hit-back, Monmouth’s youngsters faced an even bigger test against semi-professional visitors Newbridge, reports Pete Walters.

From the off, Newbridge’s pace and bulk-was obvious, scoring through a long-distance driving maul within the first two minutes of play.

Whilst the large crowd must have feared the worst, Monmouth responded well with fly-half Harry Johnson making a break within minutes.

And his pass out of the back door to supporting flanker Ollie Park brought a well-earned score.

Johnson with the first of four conversions levelling the score at 7-7.

Both sides were using long kicks for territory, sometimes too much so, as a deep grubber towards the corner overran.

The resultant drop out from the goal-line was badly taken, but Newbridge managed to recover the rebound and in no time they were back in Monmouth’s 22 with a put in at the line-out following a skilful 50-22 clearance.

The visitors were heaping on the pressure and it was no surprise when they broke from the side of a maul to score near the posts to extend their lead to 14-7.

Monmouth then lost one of their second rows to a boot to the head before scrum-half Lewis Ryan made some 60 metres with a speedily taken tapped penalty.

But Newbridge’s mauling was used to good effect as they scored twice more for no return inside the first half hour.

But their other skills were also evident, when after a period of exchanged kicks for territory, they drew in the home defence with a series of strong carries before using the substantial overlap they had generated to score again.

With ten minutes before half-time and already 31-7 behind on the score-board, Monmouth made some good inroads of their own, most noticeably with centre Morgan Jeffs forcing his way up the left hand touch-line.

Play neared the Newbridge line but following a turnover Monmouth were pegged back for another line-out.

All was not lost though as second row Geraint Powell, who put himself about well as usual, added to the pressure with a grubber kick in the corner only for this to bring on the half-time whistle. And then came the resurgence by Monmouth.

What is it in those water bottles they get to drink? Or are their coaches simply good motivators?

Monmouth put themselves about and in a spell of pressure, substitute Tom Hawkins’ momentum saw him cross under the posts to narrow the score to 31-14 early on.

No 9 Ryan was clearly an inspiration and although some of the three-quarter tackling had been questionable, flanker Park set a Newbridge back on his rear when he was looking to score under the posts.

Newbridge maintained possession though and moved the ball along the line into the top left-hand corner where despite much defensive attention, they managed to sneak inside the flag for another unconverted try and a 36-14 advantage.

But there was much to play for now as some of the visiting forwards were visibly ‘blowing’.

And in the next 14 minutes Monmouth were both to defend well amidst a lively spell as well as add two stunning tries, first by Ryan and then by centre Rhys Evans, again converted.

Now having obtained a four-try bonus point, as little as a further penalty kick would bring them a losing bonus point, too, but it was not to be.

With injury time now entered Newbridge were fighting back to save their blushes a little.

A final attack saw the home defence stretched bringing victory to the visitors with a final score of 43-28.

The consolation for Monmouth was that, once again, they had taken the second half honours, 21- 12.

Elsewhere, Chepstow lost by a single point 15-14 at home to Bedwellty in 3 East B, while Abergavenny were well beaten 54-20 at Ynysddu in 2 East.

Neither Monmouth or Chepstow 1st XVs have a fixture this weekend, but Usk travel to Rhymney while Abergavenny host Talywain.