Monmouth Druids 15 Usk Seconds 12

MONMOUTH Druids entertained Usk’s Second XV in a hard game that was played in the best of spirits.

Playing into a brisk breeze, the Druids started with disregard to the sticky conditions retaining possession and putting in forceful runs. It was from one of these moves that drew the first score. A Druids pass went astray and Usk gathered and moved the ball wide for their left wing to race in for a fine opportunistic try with barely five minutes on the clock.

The Druids responded with a move which put their wing in space near the touch line. His lack of pace, possibly hindered by the soft playing surface, caused the Usk defence to tackle him into touch. The Druids had the better of the territorial battle but the last pass failed to produce a score.

The home side did eventually score a try, starting from a scrum in their 20 metre area. Outside half Matt King punted the ball high in the air in the Usk half. Although gathered by an Usk player he was tackled in possession and the ball went loose. Druids centre Chris Read following up the kick, gathered cleanly and sped 40 metres to touch down between the posts. King converted to edge the home side ahead 7-5. A missed penalty by the Druids brought the half time whistle.

Although now playing with the wind at their backs, the Druids could not use this advantage to good effect. The Usk pack upped the pace and the Druids had their work cut out to remain competitive. The home side went further ahead following a line out in the Usk 22 metre area. A good catch and careful transference of the ball saw hooker Joe Christopher crash over for an unconverted try.

Soon after, Usk were penalised only 20 metres in front of their posts. Although it was tempting to ‘run it’, the option to kick the penalty was taken. Matt King stepped up to put the Druids 15-5 up, crucially two scores ahead.

Usk put in a grandstand finish which caused the home side to have to defend their try line desperately and, with the final whistling beckoning, the visitors scored a converted try to make the scores 15-12 in favour of the Druids.