Fixture

Saturday 7th September

Rugby returned to Monmouth last weekend after an 18 week hiatus, as the home side kicked off their 152nd season in Division 1 East for a 6th consecutive season.

The first visitors to the Monmouth Sports ground were Abergavenny, who fielded a much changed side from last year, with new Head Coach, Dai Rees calling upon his vast contacts book as Coach of Crawshays. Monmouth were led by new skipper, 20 year old Logan Woskett – a hugely proud moment for the local boy who has worked his way through all the junior age groups for this deserved accolade.

The game ended in bitter disappointment for home fans, as a 10 point lead evaporated in the closing moments to give Abergavenny a bonus point away win.

The WRU have - rightly - been often criticised for their organisational skills, but not many rugby fans across Wales were complaining when the fixtures for this season were released and were awash with local derbies.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both teams tearing into each other and it was Monmouth who scored first with wing Harry Whelan bursting through a brace of tackles to cross in the corner. The visitors’ response was swift with a penalty before home fly half Dan White matched it.

Then Abergavenny scored twice in quick succession, firstly via an Alfie Lewis try, converted by Barrier and then after Monmouth squandered an attacking opportunity and Aber raced up field, hooker Shackelton bursting clear untouched from a ruck. This try was converted and following a further White penalty the first half concluded with the visitors leading 15-11.

Monmouth started the second half with a much improved tempo and were rewarded with 2 scores in the opening 15 minutes. Following a trademark, barnstorming run by second row Hobbs, the returning Mattie Cotton was on hand to stretch and ground the ball at the posts. White converted.

Having scored 9 tries last year, it was then Hobbs turn to open his account for the season, when he crashed close to the posts, for Dan White to convert once more and give Monmouth an encouraging 25-15 lead.

Scrum half Ollie Scriven who was sharp and dangerous throughout, made a scintillating break, before being hauled down inside the 22 and Amosa Nove also came close in the corner, as Monmouth dominated the second period, but could not break the resilient Abergavenny defence any further. This ultimately was to prove very costly.

Scriven was harshly sinbinned for a high tackle and then with 7 minutes remaining the Bailey Park outfit crossed for a third try courtesy of Max Gregory and after a series of attacks they regained the lead when debutant Rob Dudley-Jones crossed and Lewis Prendergast crucially converted both.

In the closing stages as Monmouth pressed to find a winning score they were awarded a penalty in the 22, but as they were 4 points behind, a straightforward penalty had to be ignored and the visitors held out for their first win over Monmouth in nearly a decade.

Monmouth have a bye in the Division 1 Cup and therefore the next League game is away at Pontypool United on Saturday 28th September KO 2.30pm.

Gareth Roberts

Gareth Roberts