RUGBY returned to Monmouth last weekend when the club played host to both New Panteg and Andover, brought there by well known former player Mark Wilding.

The trial game format meant that the sides each played one another with keen competition all around but with Andover leading marginally on the scoreboard at least.

Monmouth were well served by a sizeable if relatively inexperienced squad which played well as a team for so early in the season although certain aspects, mainly involving the pack, still need some attention.

Fitness levels in the main seemed good and although the surface was slippery from the rain showers, they at least helped a little to soften what would otherwise have been a rather hard surface.

Certain individuals stood out for their sharpness but overall there was a keenness that was encouraging to see, even if it led to several of the home team being asked from time to time to leave the field to cool down.

Craig Everett opened his career at Monmouth with a debut try and Mobbs Morgan showed he had lost none of his enthusiasm, jinking inside a defender to touch down. Parsons also showed if anything his goal-kicking has improved with one excellent effort from near the touch-line.

Next week is a more serious test, however, when Berry Hill are the visitors for another trial game which is being billed as an Ian ’Sedge’ Seymour Memorial game following his untimely passing earlier in the year. The match should be worth attending at 2.30pm, if only to relive the very fond memories of such a ’top man’.