Recap

Match Report

Dowlais 20  Monmouth 13

A Fair Result

With an early kick off time to ensure those who wished could view the Scotland v Wales International, a still modest crowd was on hand to see a game of two relatively distinct halves.

Initial signs were worrying with the power and pace with which Dowlais drove an early maul. Monmouth had their early chances of points, too, choosing though to kick penalties to the corner rather than take the easier kickable points only to be frustrated by the Dowlais strong defence.. 

But an already very different first half script was becoming very apparent with the strong ball carrying Dowlais forwards pounding away in a very orchestrated manner in addition to a ‘quick off their marks’ defence which allowed their visitors little room to breath let alone attack. 

Monmouth tackled hard, too, causing both sides to rely on long kicks behind opposition defences  to gain or conversely regain territory.

Such pressure from the home team that, in fact, despite the quite heroic Monmouth defence at times, saw them eventually clock up three first half tries, one of which was converted, before Monmouth were to gratefully notch up a second penalty as the half-time whistle approached to narrow the gap slightly to 17-6.

The second half was different though despite Dowlais starting it with a penalty for not rolling away in the tackle.  20-6 with 37 minutes to play left the travelling supporters pondering on the possible outcome.

But it turned out to be nearly the original story of two halves. Dowlais continued to power away but their seemingly older pack had been going down injured more obviously which perhaps said something about their fitness levels. True they made good use of their rolling substitutes but Monmouth were able to match them in the defensive stakes and Woskett and Christopher combined well again in the line-out duties.

When Dowlais kicked by way of respite, the visiting backs were able to run the ball back at them over large distances and when such a response neared the home line the pressure proved too much and right wing Whelan was there in support of centre Jeffs who had punched a hole in the defence to help take Monmouth to 20-13 following Tabb’s conversion.

The remaining 30 minutes brought continued excitement. Monmouth found the room and energy to attack more but the old heads against them knew how to tie up things by slowing matters down whilst also keeping their physio on double time. 

Monmouth did not always help themselves though because trying to bulldoze through defences as strong as that of Dowlais was perhaps naive when somehow they needed to be stretched left and right exploiting any gaps that appeared. 

The tension was great and Dowlais to their credit dug in again and again with the oldest head on the field, if his lack of hair was anything to go by, holding his forwards together on many a crucial occasion.

As time was running out Dowlais kicked for a touch that their supporters hoped would end the game but wing Jones jumped high to knock the ball back into play. If it had gone cleanly to hand, a draw was still a strong possibility, but sadly not, and Monmouth had to settle for a losing bonus point for their stalwart efforts and not for the first time this season!

Having beaten Senghenydd away in recent weeks Monmouth now look forward to hosting them at the Sportsground on 22nd March once the 6 Nations series is ended.