Last Saturday (15th September), Monmouth visited Blaina who they have not met for many years and were pleased to return with a bonus point to accompany their 4 try win.

Some say that Blaina have yet to gel this season, but their mix of youth and old heads ensured the contest was a fierce one resulting in 15 minutes of stoppage time being played overall.

It took only ten minutes for wing Adam Roberts to find goal-kicking range with a penalty kick following a spear tackle but it did little for temperaments and following a forward fracas soon after both teams were reduced to 13 apiece in an attempt to let tempers cool.

Several missed penalties were the only incidents of note until fly half Ludo Thomas fielded a kick in the 27th minute before running 30 yards weaving between defenders, kicked ahead and followed the ball up to the dead ball line. Unfortunately strong wind at this line-out lead the ball astray.

Blaina quickly retaliated but their kicks were wayward at this stage too.

Number 8 Ed Wheeler drove deep into Home territory but was stopped just short. Scrum half Gareth Morgan cleverly chip-kicked on the left flank and just as a Blaina defender tried to mark it, wing Jordan Howells all but took the ball out of his arms to crash over for a cheeky but well worked try. The kick was again missed as were several penalties before Monmouth turned round after a 51 minute half, 13 points ahead.

Urged not to rise to the bait in the second half and concentrate instead on fixing possession to work set piece moves, Monmouth found to their cost a more spirited and coordinated Blaina facing them.

The penalty count rose against them and with the wind, Blaina's goal kicking accuracy improved, but when the score had crept back to 9-13 with the visitors struggling for good ball to play with, it suddenly dawned on Monmouth that the game was in danger of slipping away as the fourth quarter commenced.

The Thomas brothers came to the rescue when a nippy break by Ludo who took them up-field where he was well supported and 2nd Row Miles completed the move.

Roberts was on target with the kick which stretched the lead to 9-20 with six minutes of normal time to play.

Blaina strove hard to come back but Monmouth were defending well and although their play was nowhere near as cohesive as it can be, luckily individuals were firing well and making good ground with ball in hand.

Wheeler then showed his strength and pace tearing holes in the Blaina defence to score a fine individual try.

Roberts was again on target and at 9-27 with the bonus point and the game in the bag, one could forgive them for falling foul of the referee's persistent whistle one more time for the match to end 12-27 after a further five minutes of overtime.

Next Saturday (22nd September) brings the first home game of the season when Hafodyrynys, last year's key opponents, are to visit the Monmouth Sports Ground. Kick off is 2.30p.m. for what promises a more open and entertaining game.