Having won at home in the autumn fixture, Monmouth and their supporters had eagerly awaited the return match at Hafodyrynys.

The game played last Saturday (3rd March) proved to be the hard fought contest that both sides had expected but this time it was to be Monmouth who fumbled in the Swalec League Division leadership race.

The home team did not disappoint their voluble supporters, taking play deep into the Monmouth half from the off. Despite some resolute initial defence, Monmouth cracked after only four minutes to go five-nil down on their left flank.

Kicking was to remain a lottery for both sides' kickers during the first half as a cold and unpredictable wind gusted strongly.

Having regained their composure, Monmouth forced their way back into the game but were next to miss a kick at goal.

The visiting pack were struggling to gain their usual ascendancy, although some of the line-out takes were excellent in the middle and new second row Sam Harding did especially well to steal one from Hafod when Monmouth were under some pressure.

Both packs competed well with the visiting back row of McCord, Griffiths and Morgan supplemented by new arrival Phillips at hooker all carrying strongly.

But when it came to turnovers or slowing down the ball at the rucks, it was Hafod who displayed the best of the forward black arts to the apparent satisfaction of the referee.

A high tackle led to a successful penalty kick by Hafod's fly-half and it was a full half hour into the game before Monmouth appeared on the scoreboard courtesy of a box kick by scrum-half Morgan, carried on by left wing Anthony Layne for a try in the left hand corner.

For more on this report, see page 54 of this week's Beacon (7th March)