WRU East One

Monmouth RFC 17 Brynmawr 11

WITH the support of the Under 8/9 players as mascots, the signs were promising on another beautiful day for rugby at Monmouth Sportsground last Saturday.

The challenge of a gusting largely cross-field wind for the visit of Brynmawr also promised to keep things eventful.

And fom the opening whistle, both teams kicked high and deep seeking territory and mistakes by their opponents.

Several attempts at a long touch were cheated by the bounce of the ball, prompting speedy counter-attacks.

Signs of greater strength at scrum time for the visitors fortunately proved spasmodic, with the Monmouth forwards digging in at the more crucial moments.

Their line-out, too, proved more reliable than in previous weeks.

It was a full eight minutes before the game of ping-pong settled, with the visitors then employing their driving game.

Monmouth were tackling well though and centre Ollie Scriven pulled off two exceptional tackles in quick succession, showing both speed off the mark and. determination to halt counter-attacks.

The visitors were first on the scoreboard with a penalty for offside after 23 minutes however.

But Monmouth were soon in the other half charging down a clearance kick which led to a line-out.

Slow ball from a ruck then meant that a substantial overlap was lost and when the ball was switched to the right, a final wild pass went straight into touch aided by a gust of wind.

The visitors cleared their line with a long kick, winning a penalty for not releasing in the tackle, and increasing their lead to 6-0.

But Monmouth quickly hit back, 2nd row row Shaun Hobbs crashing over from a ruck to score, converted by fly-half Rhys Jones for 7-6.

And the hosts next won a penalty ably converted from 40m for a 10-6 half-time lead.

Brynmawr recommenced with renewed vigour putting Monmouth “under the cosh“, although it was a full quarter of an hour before they stretched the hosts’ backline to score a try, with the conversion badly missed (10-11).

Jones’ restart was on the button, but when play broke down in midfield a long kick ahead by the visitors fortunately ran dead.

Monmouth skipper and flanker Logan Woskett then showed the way with a superb take in the line-out before an attacking kick for touch went straight out.

But then a move along the line put Scriven through a gap and charging upfield before scoring a try converted by Jones for a 17-11 lead with 15 minutes to play.

Mawr mounted a sustained bombardment, met by sound defence, including a crunching tackle by wing Kester Mobbs-Morgan.

And flanker Ollie Park made some exceptionally strong and elusive carries, including one of some 35m to relieve the pressure as everyone dug in.

Brynmawr then conceded a penalty, quickly taken due to a rush of blood instead of taking a kick at goal to make the game safe.

So it was backs-to-the-wall again as Park, again supported by Woskett and another try-saving tackle by Mobbs-Morgan, led a rearguard action before the ref finally signalled a first deserved win of the season for Monmouth, bringing jubilation for players and spectators alike, moving them away from the bottom of the table.

Elsewhere, Usk beat Caldicot 18-5 at home in EG2, but Chepstow lost 27-7 at New Paneteg in EG3.

Saturday (October 17) brings an away trip to unbeaten Abercarn for Monmouth, while Usk visit Pill and Chepstow host Whitehead.