WRU East One

Bedlinog 18 Monmouth RFC 15

WITH only a slightly strengthened side following the rather heavy defeat at Nelson, Monmouth journeyed to Bedlinog, whose league position suggested another difficult day.

Helped by sunny dry weather, the game proved a lively affair, with play swinging from end to end and the hosts only managing to clinch a last-minute win with the visitors crucially deprived of second row Shaun Hobbs thanks to a late yellow card.

Facing a stronger and slightly more street-wise Foxes pack, Monmouth were dependent upon the courage and vigour of their forwards in defence, with flanker Ollie Park deservedly winning the Man of the Match accolade for his contribution.

The referee was fair throughout, although given the vast number of penalties could perhaps have let play flow more.

Bedlinog were first to score with a penalty kick after eight minutes, with the only weakness apparent for Monmouth being their line-out, resulting in several “steals” as the game progressed, compensated for by numerous offences conceded by the hosts, largely when trying to protect their own ball, handling in the ruck and occasional dissent.

And from the restart, the visitors hit back straight away as a penalty from a scrum was quickly taken and moved along the line to left wing Liam Churches who scored in the corner for 3-5.

Both sides employed long kicks upfield with centre Lewis Bates not always as accurate as he can be.

Matt Tabb at fullback however repeatedly covered back well and countered impressively, while Churches crucially prevented a try with a tackle into touch, ensuring a Monmouth half-time lead.

The visitors resumed well after the break, winning a penalty almost immediately following a high kick to stretch their lead to 3-8.

But the Foxes were soon piling on the pressure and defence was sometimes desperate, occasionally resulting in frustrations showing through.

A break on the left saw Bedlinog increase the pressure with an unconverted try to draw level at 8-8.

And then, strangely, having marked a high kick just inside touch and the 22, Monmouth delayed the free kick and were penalised for time-wasting.

The kick failed again, but from the 22 drop-out there was a speedy break back which substitute Kester Mobbs-Morgan halted with a good tackle.

But then a seeming lack of concentration brought Bedlinog a further chance and a three-point lead (11-8) with a penalty kick at the end of the third quarter.

Substitute centre Ben Peyton then changed things again, scoring a run-away try after an interception in midfield for a four-point 11-15 lead with around eight minutes left to play.

Bedlinog laid siege in the closing minutes, and Hobbs was penalised for allegedly tackling his opposing jumper in the air, when he was insistent contact was only made when he was standing on his boot, but the penalty and yellow card remained.

The closing moments were frantic, but sadly, despite a good “steal“ at a defensive line by captain Logan Woskett and Herculean attempts by the defence, their line was eventually broken and the Foxes snatched a 16-15 lead, crowned with a conversion for an 18-15 final score.

Elsewhere, Usk suffered a 47-19 E2 reverse at Gwernyfed, but Chepstow won their E3 home clash with Garndiffaith 35-5, despite a forward suffering a broken arm.

Chepstow face Garndiffaith again away in the WRU 2 Cup this Saturday, while Monmouth host Newport HSOB in the WRU 1 Cup, kick-off 2.30pm.