Fixture

Monmouth RFC 1st XV v Pontypool United RFC

WRU Div 1 East

Saturday 13 Jan 2024

Monmouth 24 Pontypool Utd.19

Bright Winter sunshine last Saturday lifted the spirits of the large crowd at the Town’s Sportsground until it disappeared and the bitter cold took hold again,

Players took a short while to adjust to the conditions with play initially being a little scrappy including the visitors kicking a penalty for touch but failing to make it.

Fly-half White was first to spark a move which full back Roberts was to take on, both of whom were to give good accounts of themselves in both defence and attack despite a poor pass in this instance ending the move and until Roberts left the field injured after the break. 

It was only six minutes to wait for a score though when 2nd Row Hobbs powered over when Monmouth neared the line. Right wing Tabb converted comfortably.

The visitors responded with vigour and helped by a penalty for not rolling away they drove to the line but initially had the ball held up.  Although they maintained the pressure with a succession of winning rucks, thanks to resolute defence by Monmouth it took them ten minutes before they broke through for a converted try of their own.

Play went back to the other end and whilst many of the large crowd were watching a Pontypool forward trying to remove a scrum cap from an opponent without first undoing it which brought on a small fracas, Monmouth moved the ball with speedy passing from the right corner to find Roberts in mid-field to score near the posts. 

At 14-7 the home centres were finding gaps. Jeffs made ground and then grubber kicked. The ball was won and when the ball was moved left play was halted for a knock on in a one handed attempt to intercept the floated pass which was rewarded with a scrum to the  home team rather than the kickable penalty one would ordinarily expect. Worse than that, this brought the first sign of the strength of the visiting pack as Monmouth were pushed back at the set piece.

From a deep defensive position when the ball broke loose captain and centre Dunmore broke away supported by Tabb but the promising move went by way of a poor pass.

A scrum was next lost to a penalty for coming up under pressure but when White was to run the ball back he was involved twice in the move looping round a fellow three-quarter only for Tabb to fire a pass straight to touch.

Following an exchange of deep kicks, the visitors found themselves in a position to engineer a long driving maul and although it was initially held out Monmouth were unable to clear their line and after  several rucks saw the visitors eventually cross for a score to draw 14-14 right on the half-time whistle. Their strength had been their ability to retain the ball over many phases helped by Monmouth seeming to be content to defend whilst not actively trying to get their hands on the ball.

Monmouth began the second half now up the slope with a good move which eventually brought a penalty for a high tackle after a surprisingly long period of advantage which Tabb kicked to take the lead again at 17-14.

 A lively move from left and then right cost Monmouth a penalty for crossing but soon they should have capitalised from a yellow card for a sliding trip tackle 27m out but the kick was pulled wide.

Roberts then showed some good pace and change of direction but injured himself in the process, bringing on fresh legs as a result. A succession of penalty offences by both sides followed, as both sides perhaps tried to avoid conceding scores whilst also showing dissent with decisions.

A promising Pontypool move left was stopped in its tracks by a show-stopping tackle by replacement full back Williams and although the pressure from the visiting forwards was still intense Dunmore broke away from the left corner to find White in support who completed the 75m
run to the posts for a converted try near the end of the third quarter to stretch the lead to 24-14.

Tempers began to become frayed and there were a few short stoppages as a result whereafter the unsighted referee awarded a yellow card each for their continuation of a some personal disagreement. Whether it was quite worth the essay he then appeared to write followed by lengthy talks to the captains only he will know.

Much was now at stake as the visitors eagerly sought a losing bonus point and the home team one for tries scored but despite vigorous attempts by both sides it was United who prevailed with an unconverted try from a scrum drive and then a ruck in the left hand corner for a 24-19 result.

A fair result with contrasting styles of play but one can only say ‘a win is a win’ and roll on next week when Brynmawr will be the visitors and potentially a much bigger kettle of fish.