AFTER THE challenges of the Cup at Bala last week, Monmouth returned to the reality of the Swalec League against Cardiff's Old Illtydians last Saturday when one of the visiting centres cut through a dog-legged three-quarter line to score close to the posts for a 7 point setback after 20 minutes of play.

Prior to that Monmouth had come near themselves with fly-half and man of the match Rhys Ricketts showing the way with excellent confidence with ball in hand or some fine positional kicks. The left flank appeared a weakness as wingman Tom Baker twice went close but was unable to complete the score as did hooker Mark Jones.

Heads did not exactly go down but in their eagerness to redress the situation, players almost tried to hard and made mistakes as a result with Old Illtydians taking advantage and often turning the ball over at the breakdown, helped a little by an apparent indifference by the referee to their many occasions regularly encroaching offside.

Individuals tried ha