WRU East One

Dowlais 35 Monmouth 1st XV 20

HOPES of success from a trip to Dowlais were not to be in the end, as Monmouth lost 35-20 to a side who proved quicker and better, despite the visitors playing their hearts out, reports PETE WALTERS.

An early poor throw into a line-out was to point the way to some of Monmouth’s deficiencies, which hampered them chasing the game later on.

The first host counter-attack was strikingly good in terms of pace and elusiveness, with a score only avoided by a fortuitous knock-on, before another attack was held up over the line.

The exchanges were vigorous with end-to-end play from long kicks, but Dowlais were noticeably quicker on the break and in their decision making.

And 10 minutes into the game, the hosts went ahead from a clean take at a line out driven over for a converted try.

Monmouth were quick to respond when flanker Adam Roberts charged down an attempted clearance kick, and his pace over more than 30 metres levelled the scores, with Bates converting (7-7).

The referee, firm but fair throughout, then reversed a penalty awarded to Monmouth because of something the captain said.

The Dowlais right wing then counter-attacked, scything through to score untouched from 65m out to stretch the lead to 14-7.

Monmouth responded more traditionally, moving the ball along the three-quarters left then right for full-back Lewis Bates to burst over the line, which he converted (14-14).

But a failed catch from the re-start put Monmouth under pressure, and after a penalty for alleged interference at a line-out, Dowlais were over again to lead 21-14.

Monmouth were soon back within reach of the Dowlais goal line though, when the hosts held onto the ball after a tackle, resulting in a few “afters“, a talking to and a penalty to the visitors (21-17).

But a missed catch from the kick-off put Monmouth under pressure, saved only by the half-time whistle.

At just four points down, the visitors’ hopes were raised though early in the second half when a Dowlais forward was yellow carded for driving recklessly into a ruck, with the scores narrowed to 21-20 by Bates.

Dowlais then had a try disallowed from a knock on, followed by attackers whistled for offside racing onto a chip kick.

But a quickly taken hosts’ penalty led to a converted try, stretching the gap to eight points (28-21).

Monmouth‘s kicks out of defence failed to put the opposition under pressure, and the hosts’ left wing then broke away and outpaced the defence to touchdown for a 35-20 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Throwing into the line out had been an issue, but by now the crowd were heckling the thrower-in sufficiently to put him off, losing ground for the visitors.

Some good phases where substantial territorial ground was made raised hopes, including a fairly solid scrum, but a penalty for going in on the side of a ruck set Monmouth back again.

Pressure on the visitors’ line was intense, but they defended well, while their own attacks met equally determined defence.

On the day, Dowlais were the better organised side with Monmouth hanging on well for much of the game but sadly without reward.

Monmouth, second from bottom, host basement side Abergavenny this Saturday with both desperate to record a first win.