WRU East One

Monmouth RFC 19 Blackwood 31

HAVING beaten Monmouth 45-0 in a pre-season trial game, Blackwood brought a large group of supporters perhaps hoping for the same again, reports PETE WALTERS.

Their speed off the mark and competitive nature were still apparent, but the first half was evenly fought, ending with Monmouth deservedly leading 14-5.

Second row and stand-in skipper Shaun Hobbs, who had an excellent game, especially with his move-ending tackles, opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter by bulldozing over following some slick passing.

Despite the very strong cross-winds courtesy of Storm Amy, wing Matt Tabb comfortably converted having previously missed a penalty kick.

Hobbs was to the fore again when Blackwood took a clever quick penalty and it was only his outstretched arm that scragged the shirt of the attacker, dragging him down and saving an equalising try.

And Monmouth, playing with the elements, were next to score again following a line out 10 metres out, the ball quickly recycled at successive rucks before prop Max Wiltshire went over and Tabb again converted for 14-0.

All was looking good until Blackwood very near half-time made a speedy break which was moved along the line to their right wing who scored a try for 14-5 at the interval.

Blackwood then came out of the blocks at pace after the break and in no time had added a converted try for 14-12, stemming from a powerful forward drive which made the home scrum suddenly look fragile.

Their speedy attacking play continued and it took a deliberate knock on to effectively prevent what could have been another try, with Monmouth penalised and reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card.

The referee seemed free and easy with the awarding of such cards, resulting in five during the game on top of an immense number of penalties, many of which left the crowd puzzled, but they were at least evenly shared.

A missed use of an obvious overlap wasted an opportunity for the visitors, but they were soon pressurising the Monmouth goal line again, saved only by centre Harry Whelan’s transgression which earned him time in the bin, too.

This reduced strength saw Blackwood probe again and another score put them into a 19-14 lead entering the final quarter.

Again Blackwood pressed and a long overhead pass bamboozled the Monmouth defence taking the visitors into a 26-14 lead.

Monmouth fought hard to narrow the gap, but it was not until extra time that they succeeded in scoring out on the right to gain themselves the prospect of a possible losing bonus point, virtue of a try from flanker Mobbs Morgan..

But the bonus was not to be, because in the fraction of time remaining, Blackwood rallied and scored another try to win 31-19.

On such fine margins are league table positions decided by the season’s end, and Monmouth will be working hard this week to ensure that when they host league leaders Nelson this Saturday (October 11) at the Sportsground, their discipline is improved, avoiding penalties and yellow cards.

The Druids also host Nelson Nomads in the Dragons League.

Elsewhere, Usk beat high-flying Newport Saracens 22-17 at home in E2, but Chepstow were pipped 19-14 away to Caerleon in E3.

Usk are away to Pontypool United this Saturday while Chepstow host Machen.