Monmouth 1st XV got off to a disappointing start to the new rugby season, losing their opening game at home to Blackwood Stars by 13 points to 20. Few would argue that the young Blackwood team were worthy winners, having out-scored their hosts by three tries to one and in doing so, dominating both territory and try-scoring opportunities. Monmouth very much appreciated the support of the young rugby section who turned out in significant numbers to form a guard of honour for the players to enter the field of play for this first game in the newly restructured SWALEC League Division 3A. The new coaching team, management and players were given early warning of the standards of fitness, strength skill and playing strategy that will be necessary to compete in this new league. The Monmouth team received pre-match setbacks through the loss of club captain Sam Harding through injury, and administrative problems encountered in the transfer of promising new open-side wing forward Tom Rees from Abergavenny. Blackwood, having won the toss, elected to play forward toward the river end. However, they were first to face the wrath of the referee and conceded a penalty in centre-field, allowing full back Rhys Ricketts to secure his first three points of the season. Blackwood responded quickly by exploiting slack mid-field defence to score a try near the posts, which was converted to make the score 7-3. To the credit of the newly formed Monmouth team, they quickly re-grouped and following several phases of play and strong midfield drives by the Monmouth forwards, the ball was moved wide to put centre Dewi Lane on for a try, which was impressively converted by Rhys, who then quickly followed with another three points moments later after another Blackwood transgression. The Blackwood back line again showed an impressive level of pace and skill in scoring another try, through the mid-field. The failed conversion left Monmouth in the lead 13-12, which would have been most welcome by Monmouth at half-time. Unfortunately a naive attempt to run the ball out of defence close to the Monmouth line resulted in a line-out to Blackwood 15 metres out, which was won by the Blackwood second row, who charged through the Monmouth lineout to score an easy try, leaving a few red faces. A late penalty awarded to Blackwood on halftime was successfully converted to give the visitors a deserved 13-20 lead. A score which was to remain until the final whistle. Several changes were made to the Monmouth team at half-time which included the introduction of young prop-forward Tom Green who showed up well around the field and made more strong driving runs as an effective ball-carrier. Blackwood however made the most out of the disruption to the Monmouth team to secure territorial advantage throughout the third quarter. During this time, the home team held out with several try-saving tackles. A spate of heated ill-discipline by both sets of forwards saw the referee issue yellow cards to both teams and a further yellow card to the Monmouth scrum-half for technical infringement. The reintroduction of captain for the day Luke Hunter helped the home team. However, despite several good runs by the impressive Monmouth number 8, Colin Gleed, supported by Tom Gleed and Mike Griffiths, the Monmouth team were unable to breakdown the Blackwood defence. The final score resulted in Monmouth securing a losing bonus point and it was concluded that some 'bedding-in' can be expected for this new team. However it is recognised that much stiffer opposition is still to come. Next week the team will be away to Caerleon, kick-off 2.30pm.