SWALEC League 3 East A - Caerphilly RFC 42 Monmouth RFC 25

MONMOUTH RFC’s away fixture at Caerphilly RFC meant little more than pride to both sides as the season draws to a close. Both teams appear safe from relegation, so it was left to see if any complacency might affect players attitudes and performances.

Sunny weather welcomed the teams but a cold wind blowing down the pitch would have a big influence on the result on Virginia Park. The much changed visitors kicked off with the strong breeze at their backs, and Monmouth opened their account within minutes from right wing Chris Reed. Receiving the ball from a crisp passing movement he rounded his opponent to cross in the corner. Outside half Stuart Parsons improved the try with a fine conversion from the touchline.

Caerphilly wasted no time and responded with a try soon after, with a three-quarter move highlighting tackling problems in the visitors’ defence to make the score 7-5, before two well-struck Monmouth penalty goals kicked by Stuart Parsons stretched their lead to 13-5.

Caerphilly hit back with a try from a scrum from their number eight who worked his way over and took the lead with another try following a good passing move. The conversion hit the post but Caerphilly had taken the lead 15-13.

The home side upped the pressure and a clever change of direction by a Caerphilly centre crashed over for a try. This was converted to end the scoring in the first half, with the score 20-13.

To make the visitors’ task more difficult, Monmouth full back Matt Tabb was yellow-carded for killing the ball in a ruck just before the interval.

The second half started badly for the visitors, as missed tackles allowed Caerphilly to cross for a converted try to increase their lead to 27-13, before the home side suffered a yellow card themselves to even up the numbers.

More ineffective Monmouth mistakes allowed the home side to score two further tries to move the lead to 37-13. This caused a stir in the Monmouth ranks and they replied with two tries through good handling in the three quarters.

The first came through centre James Smith which Stuart Parsons converted. The second followed from scrum half Dan White after swift inter-passing from Chris Reed and centre Dewi Lane to bring the score to 37-25.

Caerphilly had the final word though, following phases of play close to the visitors line. A forward crashed over to secure what was a comfortable 42-25 victory for the home side, leaving Monmouth to consider what went wrong.