LOSSES in their two previous matches dented the Druids' confidence before facing in-form Ynysddu on the Sports Ground in Monmouth.

Man for man the visitors tended to be larger than their Druids counterparts and the question before the game was would Ynysddu use this feature to the best effect?

The game was only minutes old when Ynysddu were forced into conceding a penalty which Druids full back Kris Gordon converted to inch the home side ahead.

Ynysddu counter attacked and took the lead with a try following weak Druids tackling – all starting from a scrum deep in the home half. Winning possession, the visitors transferred the ball along the line for the outside centre to break and cross for an unconverted try wide out.

The Druids retook the lead when quick passing and a kick through saw play close to the visitors line. Quick possession allowed Goldengay to force himself over in the corner for an unconverted try and an 8-5 lead.

Just before the interval Ynysddu hit back to take the lead they just about deserved. Pressure on the Druids line created a chance which Ynysddu took to give them a 12-8 half time lead.

Druids started the second half the better side. At a scrum close to the Ynysddu line, scrum half Gareth Morgan used his speed to power over to give the Druids a one point lead at 13-12.

The lead changed hands again when the Ynysddu kicker scored a penalty goal from 40 metres.

The Druids stormed back up to the visitors try line again. From a scrum, a maul developed which grounded the ball over the goal line. The try was awarded to Gareth Morgan and converted by Kris Gordon to give a 20-18 lead.

The Druids were decisive now and they scored a fourth try through flanker Rob Erskine following open play near the visitors goal line. Kris Gordon kicked a vital conversion.

Ynysddu were not finished and from a five metre tap penalty a back row forward powered over and the conversion made the score 27-25 to the Druids at the final whistle.