Fixture

Monmouth RFC 1st XV v Bedlinog RFC

WRU Div 1 East

Saturday 18 Nov 2023

Monmouth 6 Bedlinog 36

After their convincing win the previous week away at Abergavenny much was hoped for Monmouth at home against mid-tablers Bedlinog.

But within minutes of the start the opposite was looking to be the likelihood as the visiting pack looked stronger in the set piece and tackling of opposition strong runners initially was relatively non existent.

So much so that following the kick off, within three minutes after three players had failed to stop the same rampaging runner had led to a touch in the downfield left hand corner. A scrum followed and another missed tackle saw the visitors 7 points in the lead.

Monmouth rallied though and were soon in the other 22 where a high tackle brought three penalty points from wing Tabb. But Bedlinog were not phased by this and continually playing long kicks into the left corner brought a winning line-out where they skirted around the front and over for their second try.

From the restart and a penalty for crossing Tabb was to fail his next goal attempt largely because of the gusting wind. With play back in their half a good line-out by 2nd Row Tyler prompted a move up the left prominent in which wing Whelan powered through an attempted  tackler only for the move to fall foul of a foot in touch.

A further penalty to the home team extended 10 metres for dissent brought a move which saw centre Howells stopped just 3 metres out but lack of support merely gained a penalty against for his efforts allowing Bedlinog to clear their lines.

Play levelled out for a while with both sides probing for territory with long kicks although Monmouth’s tended to balloon in the prevailing wind but then from a penalty quickly taken, Bedlinog were able to use their superior forward power to scrummage a penalty towards the home line. A collapse brought another penalty and scrum when the visitors were trundled back over the line to take the score to 3-19
 
From the kick-off flanker Woskett was commendably up to tackle the catcher but another penalty quickly taken by Bedlinog’s No. 9 took his side back within 8 metres of the Monmouth line. Another touch was cleanly taken and containing the drive proved impossible leaving Monmouth facing a 3-24 half-time deficit and with Bedlinog having gained a try scoring bonus point already.

Not to be outdone Monmouth had a spell of retaliation with individually penetrative action into the Bedlinog 22 by Howells again and fly half White but not without some misfortune, especially for the latter who, following some slick play, ever so marginally put a foot in touch as he dived for the goal-line.

Monmouth with much to do in the remaining 40 minutes but now at least having the wind and slope advantage kicked into Bedlinog’s 22 winning a ruck and when an attempted return kick ballooned and they won a penalty which Tabb easily converted.

The visiting full back then regained the advantage with a long kick out of defence which he followed up, tackling the receiver. Their next touch brought another drive resulting in the home forwards being trundled back over their line again. 6-31 now with a full 30 minutes yet to play!

The home team were still trying hard but Bedlinog continued to gain front foot advantage as Monmouth with ball in hand made little ground by moving laterally which was often frustrated by a good drifting defence. 

Yet another deep penalty and deep touch brought a successful driving maul and a now 30 point lead.

Some further substitutions had livened things up but it was again Howells who threatened as he cut a good line in sadly to be injured when tackled. Monmouth were gaining ground now but despite a succession of attacking phases near the line and Bedlinog losing a player for a ‘no arms’ tackle a knock on by Bedlinog which questionably was deliberate frustrated this Monmouth attack near the line.

The referee entered the narrative now as play was delayed for treatment to him for a turned ankle but he manfully resumed after a break and the game despite continued energy expended ran its course with no further scores. 

The challenge for Monmouth continues both for their coaches correcting some deficiencies but also given that the next game is away against Nelson this coming Saturday.