With the opportunity presented last Saturday of seeking revenge in their second match versus Bedlinog in eight days, albeit in a cup match on this occasion, hopes were relatively high, even without some key players.

The weather although forecast bad, despite harbouring a strong end to end wind, was sunny throughout, apart from the last five minutes when the rain arrived.

Play was even in the first 10 minutes with both sides going hard at it until fly half White signalled a pass near halfway which was intercepted and brought the first converted score for Bedlinog.

This early reversal was quickly wiped out when a loose ball was kicked through which a defender failed to ground over his line with centre Whelan winning the touchdown to make the scores equal.

Monmouth were more than holding their own at this stage in the forward battle, with Cadle’s ball carrying capabilities continuing to stand out in the absence of his normal second row colleague, Baines. Hooker Pardoe was also notIceable when it came to clearing out rucks.

After a number of phases near the home line, the ball came out to Bates in the centre who scythed through a gap for a try he also comfortably converted. Full back Tabb was next with a rather distant chance but with both ball chasers impeding one another a penalty for the Home team was the outcome.

Play continued to be from end to end and soon Monmouth were back in the Bedlinog 22. The defence was determined but costing them a penalty and a yellow card to the opposing scrum-half. A few more moves and a wide pass to Dunmore on the left-wing saw Monmouth score again which Bates converted from the touch line for a 7-21 half-time lead.

Bedlinog, however, were not to be outdone following their half-time “talking to”, taking a maul following a line out for a full 30m. A knock on followed but play was called back for an earlier penalty offence. Their choice of a scrum instead proved to be a wise choice as they narrowed the score to 12-21. The same happened again when it was alleged that a Monmouth player had been off-side for which he received a yellow card and Bedlinog picked up another unconverted try following the penalty.

The very high kick-off resulted in a Bedlinog counter-attack with several missed tackles allowing them into a 24-21 lead. Following the opposing scrum-half’s enforced rest in the “bin” he played with much sparkle and became the home team’s major threat creating gaps galore in the Monmouth defence.

Whilst the visiting front row had played quite stoically throughout, now the pack was beginning to struggle in the face of the renewed vigour of Bedlinog but Monmouth were not to be outdone, pressurising in their opponents 22 to the extent that Bedlinog conceded a penalty for bringing down a driving maul which Bates converted to narrow the scores to 29-24 with 12 minutes still to go.

Frantic though these remaining minutes were, the home defence remained resolute and it was perhaps fitting that the rain came and Monmouth failed to take their chance in an attacking lineout just prior to the final whistle.

Now excluded from Cup games, Monmouth can concentrate on getting away from the danger zone which their current league position represents. Next week they are away (again) at Dowlais which will be no easier