Llanhilleth 17 Monmouth 43

ON the journey to Llanhilleth RFC on Saturday, Monmouth would have reflected on their 31-6 victory earlier last season again the current league bottom team.

A sunny day greeted both sides from the kick off on Llanhilleth Park. Within minutes, the home side took a very early lead, as an intercepted Monmouth pass saw the home side centre sprint between the posts for a five point start. The conversion surprisingly failed, but the score was still quite a shock for the visitors.

The Monmouth team rallied strongly though, and drove hard against the home side. From a scrum in the Llanhilleth half, outside half Sam Parsons put in a long grubber kick deep into the Llanhilleth 22 metre area. Whilst defenders dithered, up-rushing Parsons gathered the ball and touched down in the right hand corner. He converted from the touchline to give Monmouth a 7-5 lead.

They quickly added to this score with a good try following a swift passing movement. Fullback Rhys Evans touched down to stretch the lead to 12-5.

Monmouth were buzzing now, and inside centre James Smith side stepped over for a further try after a 25 metre run. Sam Parsons improved the try and before anyone could blink, scrum half Dan White added another try which Parsons converted.

The Monmouth forwards contributed to the try count when captain Sam Harding touched down when he took advantage of a fortunate bounce and crashed over.

Sam Parsons scored two more tries and converted one to stretch the lead to 43-5 as the half drew to a close.

The second half followed, which told its own story. The Monmouth dominance subsided and the increased resistance from the home side had an impact on the game.

The Llanhilleth pack upped their work rate and forced Monmouth backwards. They scored two tries from rolling mauls, one of which was converted.

Lanhilleth had the satisfaction of winning the second half but not of course the final result of 43-17. The referee awarded a number of penalties against Monmouth who made five substitutions. The visitors took their foot off the pedal, dropped passes and kicked out of hand loosely.

Sam Parsons’ performance of three tries and impressive kicking made him man of the match, but Monmouth will have learned a lesson from the way the game progressed.

Monmouth’s next game is a visit to Oakdale on 18th March.