THE traditional derby matches between Monmouth and Usk on Boxing Day ended up a victory apiece.

In the morning in a very ‘nip and tuck’ game, Monmouth Druids gained the honours 7-5 with forward Jack Churches running in untouched for the only home team try of the day.

Usk came back at them through a try from Joe Edwards, but their failure to convert gave Mon a narrow victory..

The afternoon was a different kettle of fish altogether, when, in front of a large crowd, East 2 side Usk were not only to win but did so handsomely, coming back from trailing at the break to beat the East 1 visitors 33-10.

Apart from again being fallible at times in the tackling department, Monmouth led 10-7 at half-time despite Usk having scored first in the early stages, Gethin Thomas going over from a blind side move which they converted.

Play was end to end with many mistakes and the referee enjoying the opportunity to blow his whistle loudly.

An early warning was necessary for a “handbags“ incident, and it was Monmouth centre Elias who narrowed the gap with a well-deserved try given the pressure the visitors had been exerting up to that point.

It was Elias again who next gave Ollie Scriven a try on a plate near the posts.

The excitement of scoring obviously proved too much for the scorer though, as he missed the relatively easy conversion but nevertheless gave Monmouth a half-time lead.

The Monmouth pack had been holding its own during the first half helped by the return of prop Zen Swagrzak, but in the second half the input of larger substitutes began to make a difference for the hosts.

Scrums were less defendable and Monmouth became prone to driven mauls from lines-out.

All was relatively even for the third quarter but then from a quick penalty Usk were up and over through Will Guy to take the lead 14-10.

Guest centre Morgan Jeffs, who played well throughout, put in a good bullocking run to raise the visitors’ hopes but it was all rather downhill from then on.

An interception by Usk was looking like a certain try but for a desperate ankle tap tackle by Scriven saving the day.

But Usk went further ahead through Jon Guy from a drive over the line to take the score to 21-10, sparking rapturous applause from home fans.

One of Monmouth’s smaller members earned a yellow card after a minor fracas and Usk then went a further five points ahead from a driving maul again.

Flashes of inspiration were apparent, not least from three-quarter Dan Dunmore and some dogged defending and supporting from the visitors’ back row, but the whistle was now becoming a dominant feature, some decisions of which were not so easily understood.

Monmouth tried hard and all but went over the line but were turned over at the ruck.

Usk responded well and put in a lengthy clearance kick, from which they moved the ball right across the field to the flank and then back to the left for their tall and speedy left-wing Rhys Reynolds to run in for a further converted try and a final score of 33-10, with Tom Welford providing 13 points from the boot.

With the annual ‘friendly’ completed, preparation recommenced for the restart of league fixtures, although the 1st XV’s home clash against Blaenavon on Saturday (January 3) was called off owing to the Torfaen outfit being unable to raise a team.

Next up Monmouth travel to Blackwood on Saturday (January 10), while Usk visit Newport Saracens and Chepstow host Caerleon.